Stained Glass Tour
  - Joseph the Patriarch
  - St. Therese of Liseux
  - St. Claire of Assisi
  - St. Francis of Assisi
  - St. Paul of Tarsus
  - Bl. Pedro Calungsod
  - St. Maria Goretti
  - Bl. Miguel Pro
  - St. Maximilian Kolbe
  - St. Gianna Molla
  - Bl. Teresa of Calcutta
  - Ven. John Paul II, Pope
  - St. John Vianney
  - Christ the King with St. Michael
the Archangel
 - Ven. Fr. Michael McGivney

The stained glass in the main section of St. Joseph's Church that is featured in this section was designed and created by parishioner Mary Mullins and all images are subject to copyright, 2007-2010, Valley Rose Designer Glass.  Descriptive text copyright Mary Mullins, 2007-2010.
You may contact them by calling (209) 238-3236.

St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226)

St. Francis was one of seven children born to Pietro de Bernardone, a rich
cloth merchant, and his French wife, Pica. Early accounts of St. Francis’ life
describe him as a definite partier! He was a troubadour and poet who loved fancy clothes, the occasional street brawl, and all the pleasures to which a rich young man of his day could avail himself. But God’s love had been planted in St. Francis’ heart, for even amongst the hedonistic diversions of his day he had compassion for the poor and was gradually becoming disillusioned with life around him. He drove his father to anger many times when his acts of charity cut into the profits of the day’s business dealings.

In time, St. Francis began to isolate himself a bit from all the friends and
parties and sought out quiet places to pray. One day, in the countryside
surrounding Assisi, he came upon the tumbled-down chapel of San Damiano. Here he had a mystical encounter; the Icon of Jesus on the Cross came to life and spoke to him three times saying: “Francis, Francis, go out and build up My house which, as you can see, is falling into ruins.” St. Francis took these words literally, sold his horse and some of his father’s cloth and began repairs on San Damiano. This, however, was the last straw for Pietro de Bernardone, and after a meeting of father and son with the Bishop, St. Francis stripped himself of his father’s clothing and his father’s name and lived as a beggar restoring churches around Assisi.

Although his actions earned him the scorn of some of his former companions, other wealthy, well educated young men of Assisi were drawn to this new life. St. Francis finally realized the “building up” the Lord meant was to be physical and spiritual. He took the Gospels quite literally, following Jesus faithfully and joyfully. He and the friars traveled about, proclaiming the Good News, following to the letter the instruction in Matthew to “take no gold, silver or copper for your belts, no sack for the journey, no second tunic, or sandals or walking stick.” (Matthew 10:9-10)
St. Francis' literal interpretation of Christ’s message turned some of the authority figures of his day on their heads! But unlike some reformers who brought about heresy and disunity within the Church, St. Francis’ deep devotion and loyalty to the absolute authority of the Church had the effect of genuine reform. Pope Innocent III had a dream of the Lateran Basilica (the Cathedral of the Diocese of Rome) beginning to fall into ruin and a small, poor man supporting it on his shoulders. The Pope understood this little man was none other than St. Francis and so approved his request to charter a Rule for the Order of Friars Minor. Although St. Francis was not a priest, he was ordained a deacon and allowed to read the Gospel in the Church.

Many of the stories and legends about St. Francis and the early Franciscans are detailed in “The Little Flowers of St.
Francis”. He had a deep love for nature as God’s creation and desired to help people understand God’s gifts to us in a tangible way such as the tradition of Blessing of Animals and Christmas nativity scenes.

St. Francis accomplished much for the glory of God in his brief 44 years of life. He established Franciscan provinces all over Europe, he embarked upon a non-violent crusade to Egypt to convert the Muslims and while he was not successful, his sincere efforts inspired the Sultan al-Kamil.

On Mt. La Verna, around the Feast of Exultation of the Holy Cross, September 14, 1224, St. Francis received the stigmata, the Holy Wounds of Christ. He died on October 3, 1226 singing Psalm 141.

St. Francis has one foot upon a large rock and he prepares to complete his assent to the  rock to begin preaching. At his feet, the Wolf of Gubbio, full of affection for St. Francis, looks up ready to listen. Little flowers surround the wolf and trail down the side of the window.  This is another reference to the “Little Flowers of St. Francis”.

In his right hand, St. Francis holds a small San Damiano Cross to his heart. The stigmata he received on Mt. La Verna is clearly visible on this hand and foot.

In his left hand, he holds one of the doves who made their home with the friars after St. Francis rescued them from being sold at the marketplace.
In the center panel to the lower right of the dove is a church “falling into ruin”. This image is symbolic of the message Christ gave to St. Francis from the Cross at San Damiano and also to Pope Innocent III’s dream of the church falling down.