Size:1 x 5/8 inch 
Material: Sterling silver

This lovely medal shows St Francis of Assisi giving his famous sermon to the birds. The depiction is based on Giotto's painting of the same subject located in the Basilica of St Francis in Assisi. The reverse shows St Francis' good friend St Clare.

The medal was cast in sterling silver from an antique medal in the Rosa Mystica Collection so it shows all the beauty and history of the original piece. It comes with a matching holy card in an organza gift bag, ready for gift-giving, and was made in the USA.

Born in 1181, St Francis was a spoiled young man who became a soldier. He was captured in battle and spent over a year in prison. During this time he had a vision of Christ telling him to change his life and upon his release he renounced his father's fortune, dressed in rags, and begged for his money. He lived such a holy life that he began to attract followers, and in 1209 he founded the Franciscan order based on the Jesus's words "Leave all and follow me." He gave food to the hungry, cared for animals, rebuilt churches, and thought of all as his brothers and sisters.

The back of the medal shows St Francis' friend, St Clare. When St Clare was a girl, she was so struck by St Francis of Assisi that she confided her desire to live for God to him. She ran away from home with her cousin to become a nun and was received into religious life by St Francis. She founded a religious order called the Poor Clares that is still in existence today. When she was to ill to go to mass, an image of the service appeared on the wall of her room leading to her patronage of television.

St Francis is the patron of:
Animals
Birds
Dogs
Cats
Ecology
The Environment
Lace makers
Zoos
Needle workers
Against fire
Against dying alone
Families
Nature

St Clare is the patron of:
Knitters
Needle workers
Eyes
Television
Goldsmiths
For good weather

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