Every October 4th, the Church celebrates the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, one of Christianity’s most beloved saints – remembered not only for his humility and devotion to Christ, but also for his extraordinary love for animals and all of creation.
Born into a wealthy merchant family in Assisi, Italy, Francis chose a life of simplicity, poverty, and service, becoming a symbol of compassion that transcends centuries.
Francis viewed every creature as part of one family under God. He called the sun “Brother Sun”, the moon “Sister Moon”, and even preached to the birds, who, according to legend, gathered quietly to listen. Another famous story tells of the Wolf of Gubbio, a wild animal that terrorized villagers. Rather than have it killed, Francis approached the wolf, tamed it with kindness, and made peace between the animal and townsfolk. Such stories earned him the title Patron Saint of Animals and Ecology. To this day, churches in some parts of the world celebrate his feast with the Blessing of Pets, reaffirming his message of harmony with nature.
This universal message found a home in Goa too. While St. Francis of Assisi himself never came to India, his spiritual sons, the Franciscans, arrived in Goa soon after the Portuguese. The Church of St. Francis of Assisi in Old Goa, built in 1661 by the Portuguese, st a n d s a s a h e rit a g e monument and reminder of his enduring influence. Blending European styles, the church houses intricate murals depicting scenes from his life. It shares s p a c e w i t h t h e S e Cathedral, making it part of Goa’s UNESCO World Heritage zone. During events like the Exposition of St. Francis Xavier, the church often features as a site of devotion and cultural display, while in 2022, the Church of St. Francis of Assisi was selected among 100 monuments across India to be illuminated as part of “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav”. It was the only monument in Goa chosen for this – lit up in the colours of the Indian flag
For modern Goa, with its lush landscapes and vibrant biodiversity, St. Francis’ call to respect and care for creation remains especially relevant. His life bridges the sacred and the natural, urging us to see God’s presence in every leaf, bird, and wave of the sea.
St. Francis of Assisi’s legacy is not confined to Assisi or Rome. In Goa too, he lives on—in the heritage churches that bear his name, in the festivals that celebrate his memory, and in every act of kindness toward nature and its creatures.
Louella Santimano Dias