Francis Of Assisi Influence

Saint Francis of Assisi was recognized as a one of the foremost influential individuals in 13th century Italy. He was a preacher that lectured on the idea of living in complete poverty, but he continued to carry physical world all around him in high regards. Francis was able to create a safe haven at the Portiuncula, located below Assisi, for refugees coming from conventional society. The creation of this sanctuary allowed these refugees the opportunity to become disciples as they rebuilt the church in San Damiano literally and figuratively. St. Francis was not only a religious leader, but he was able to “excite the enthusiasm of ordinary people” in a society that was lacking strong political and religious influence. The Franciscan brotherhood steadily increased their authority and numbers within the city, this rapid increase in numbers contributed to the escalating influence of the order in the lives of everyday lay people. Another way that St. Francis and the Franciscan order was able to seep into the lives of the masses was the through the establishment of the mendicant order for women, known as the Clarisses, as well as the “Third Order” for laymen. The
establishment of these mendicants allowed for the Franciscan message to be dispersed over many territories. Many other mendicants established in Italy at this time were grounded firstly in Franciscan ideals, but varied in order to complete a different mission. Many of these houses had turned their focus to helping the poor, but did so by relying of the support of well-to-do patrons and members. As a result of these wealthy members and patrons, these mendicants began to build churches of sizable magnitudes on the outskirts of cities, where they would be able to expand and increase their presence in an area which would allow them to “dominate the life of the old center”.
The building of these churches and the architecture that was held within them indicated a change in style and ideals of the time. The work of St. Francis and his appeal for poverty was so influential that it was able to permeate the many classes within Italy. This infiltration allowed for an infusion of money into churches, which permitted them to commission works of art that poor, lower class, uneducated people could understand. This new wave of art gave these poor people the opportunity to be close to, and understand
God.