The setting is in and around the city of Assisi in the late 1100’s and early 1200’s. A man named Francis found his true calling, devoting himself to God and helping the less fortunate. He was born into a family who had a large amount of wealth and was in a high social class in a society where wealth and social class meant everything. In the beginning of the book, the reader can find a perfect example of what his society valued. It reads, “He was an object of admiration to all, and he endeavored to surpass others in his flamboyant display of vain accomplishments: wit, curiosity, practical jokes and foolish talk, songs, and soft and flowing garments” (Thomas of Celano 23). Before he found his calling to God this is how he lived, a life of lavish luxury and immature actions. He didn’t even give the poor of his city a second thought as he passed by them. He only cared about himself and how he could have fun that day. After he found God, however, he became the polar opposite of his former self. The book states, “Starting back, he put down his bags and pondered conscientiously what to do about the money. In a wonderful way, in an instant, he turned completely to the work of God” (Thomas of Celano 29). He had just gathered up many, if not all, of his valuables and decided to go into town to sell them because he no longer had a need or want for material possessions. He then took all of the money that he gathered and gave it to the first needy person he saw, who happened to be a poor priest in a dilapidated church on the verge of collapse. He took the money that his past self would have gladly spent on extravagant clothing or some other unnecessarily pricey items and donated it all to the priest for the rebuilding of the church. He went against the immoral rule in his society of treating the poor like
The setting is in and around the city of Assisi in the late 1100’s and early 1200’s. A man named Francis found his true calling, devoting himself to God and helping the less fortunate. He was born into a family who had a large amount of wealth and was in a high social class in a society where wealth and social class meant everything. In the beginning of the book, the reader can find a perfect example of what his society valued. It reads, “He was an object of admiration to all, and he endeavored to surpass others in his flamboyant display of vain accomplishments: wit, curiosity, practical jokes and foolish talk, songs, and soft and flowing garments” (Thomas of Celano 23). Before he found his calling to God this is how he lived, a life of lavish luxury and immature actions. He didn’t even give the poor of his city a second thought as he passed by them. He only cared about himself and how he could have fun that day. After he found God, however, he became the polar opposite of his former self. The book states, “Starting back, he put down his bags and pondered conscientiously what to do about the money. In a wonderful way, in an instant, he turned completely to the work of God” (Thomas of Celano 29). He had just gathered up many, if not all, of his valuables and decided to go into town to sell them because he no longer had a need or want for material possessions. He then took all of the money that he gathered and gave it to the first needy person he saw, who happened to be a poor priest in a dilapidated church on the verge of collapse. He took the money that his past self would have gladly spent on extravagant clothing or some other unnecessarily pricey items and donated it all to the priest for the rebuilding of the church. He went against the immoral rule in his society of treating the poor like