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St. FrancisSt. Francis was a mystic of the Renaissance era. Born to a merchant family of Assisi, he lived his early life in privilege and luxury. He is said to have been quite a reveler before joining the army and participating in a battle against soldiers of a neighboring village. He was captured during battle, and his spiritual journey began in the dungeon of that other village. When he returned home to Assisi, he shunned the life of privilege for one of voluntary poverty. Francis preached a doctrine of equality under God's love. He taught a vegetarian ethic and is said to have once traded his coat for a sheep that a farmer was taking to market, so that the sheep's life would be spared. He also is said to have preached God's love to the birds, who ceased their chattering and gave ear to his preaching. Francis is best remembered for the St. Francis Prayer (although authorship is disputed), and the Canticle of Brother Sun. Why is our orchard named St. Francis Farm?Well, frankly because Francis is Jeff's and Rena's last name and for tax status we have to use our own name on the farm. But, we also believe our venture needs a patron saint and why not the man who loved nature and a simple life? In Denver, we lived not far from St. Francis church and we've always loved to sing the St. Francis Prayer "... make me a channel of your peace." And, after all, he was a fascinating man. See this online version of the Canticle of Brother Sun, complete with music and visit this site that has a nice collection of links about St. Francis. How St. Francis Sent Help Our First SummerRena writes: "I am lying in bed watching the sky grow lighter, have been awake for a couple of hours, stewing about all the apples that need picking, stuff that needs done, commitments pressing in, the poor timing of my foot in a splint and body on crutches from torn ligaments or a stress fracture…I can see the sky begins to turn rosy and gold, backlighting the Grand Mesa, and then that first light begins to pour down DeBeque Canyon. 'OK God, I’m praying that prayer. Send us some help with these apples.' Pretty soon I smell coffee, hear tires crunching on gravel, voices. Jeff brings me a cuppa and says a young man has come by, translating for three friends who want to pick up some extra work today. I call back and say Yes, we could use some help, and at noon exactly they return. Hola, me llama Senora Francis, I introduce myself in my one-way Spanish. Con mucho gusto. The friend introduces three shy men, we agree on what is waiting to be done and off they go. In 2 ½ hours they are unloading into the cooler -- triple what 3three of us could have picked in the same time. We pay them with cash and thank them with fresh-baked apple cakes and they climb into the pickup so Jeff can drive them back to where they are staying. The elder rides with Jeff on the return trip and no longer shy, ventures in English that he is from Guatemala, 7 children, 3 in the states, the rest at home with his wife. He is returning this week. I feel in awe of these savvy people who travel far, work so hard and so well, behave with dignity, speak two or more languages,. They humble me, teach mysterious lessons of trust and courage. So on Saturday, I sit awkwardly in the late September sun, feeling grateful and a bit stunned that my prayer was so literally answered. I’m thinking that next Thursday, October 4, is the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, our namesake who we jovially adopted as a patron saint for this venture. And of the of the four men who appeared to help the Francis at St. Francis Farm called Francisco, Francisco, Francisco y Alberto." Books to Learn More About St. FrancisThe
Circle of Days
Brother
Sun, Sister Moon : The Life and Stories of St. Francis The
Lessons of St. Francis : How to Bring Simplicity and Spirituality into Your
Daily Life
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