Fr. Schibi Feast Day Homily, 10/05/25
Many of us know the story of St. Francis of Assisi, but at its heart, his life is a story of conversion—a radical turning toward God. Born into a wealthy family, Francis grew up surrounded by comfort, fine clothes, and admiration. He loved the pleasures of the world, but as he faced the harsh realities of life—war, suffering, and the fragility of human existence—he began to notice a troubling emptiness. Despite all he had given to the world, the world could not return his love.
It was in this emptiness that Francis discovered something extraordinary: God’s love had been with him all along. A God who became man, gave Himself on the cross, and continues to give Himself in the Eucharist at every Mass. God had claimed him as a child through baptism and the sacraments, even before he realized it. It was the recognition of this goodness—the goodness that is God—that transformed his heart. He turned away from the fleeting attractions of the world and embraced the Creator who had always loved him.
One vivid moment captures the depth of his awakening. In a quiet cave, Francis entered into deep meditation, contemplating God’s love and the state of the world. He emerged weeping, saying, “Love is not loved.” God, the one who loves us most, was often ignored and forgotten. This grief became the compass of his life, guiding him to seek out divine love in everything: in prayer, in penance, and in his service to others.
Francis spared no effort in aligning his life with God. He made reparations for his past sins, lived a life of penance, and broke free from the attachments that once controlled him—wealth, status, and worldly desire. He surrendered completely to Jesus Christ, recognizing only one authority over his life: the King of the universe, his Savior. Inspired by the Gospel passage in which Jesus sends the seventy-two disciples out without provisions, Francis chose to live wholly dependent on God. And God faithfully provided for him, guiding and sustaining him at every step.
We often associate St. Francis with animals, and while his love for creation is beautiful, it was not merely that he loved them. Animals were drawn to him because his soul, purified and innocent, reflected the harmony of God’s creation. In Francis, they sensed the presence of the Creator. He did not get lost in the beauty of creation; he saw it as a path to God.
There are four things that Francis loved above all else. First, he loved the Church. When Christ spoke to him through the San Damiano cross, saying, “Rebuild my Church,” Francis dedicated himself to restoring faith and devotion among the people. Second, he loved the Blessed Virgin Mary, consecrating his mission to her care. Third, he loved Jesus Christ crucified, weeping before the cross for his own sins, for those who offended Christ, and for the mercy he had received. It is said that his weeping nearly blinded him in his later years.
Finally, his greatest love was the Eucharist. Francis revered the real presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament and instructed others to prepare their hearts before receiving Him. He also loved priests for their role in bringing Christ to the faithful, once saying that if an angel and a priest walked together, he would greet the priest first, for only through a priest’s hands could he receive the Lord in the Eucharist. At the end of his life, Francis bore the wounds of Christ, a final testament to his total devotion.
The essence of our patron, St. Francis, was love. He loved his faith, his Savior, the Blessed Mother, and the Eucharist so completely that he left nothing for himself. Everything was given to God. May we, inspired by his example, learn to love as he did.
St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us.
Father James Schibi, Pastor