The church is large and old, and its white stone exterior is nondescript. Walking inside, you’ll find an inscription in the stone above the main entrance. It reads “dedicated to God and Francis, the peace bestower.” And next to the inscription is a carved image of a wolf.
The Church is built on the spot where, according to legend, St. Francis of Assisi (d. 1226) made a peace pact with a wolf that had been terrorizing the town of Gubbio.
Back in the early 13th century, 800 years ago, a ferocious wolf began to stalk the countryside surrounding the town looking for food, preying on woodland creatures, but soon he began to prey on livestock. And then, his hunger brought him closer to town. He began to attack the villagers if they dared to venture outside of town. The ferocious wolf’s reign of terror gripped the townspeople with fear. Eventually, it got so bad that no one would even dare step outside the walls of the city.
A friar from the neighboring town of Assisi heard about the attacks and traveled to Gubbio to meet with the wolf. Legend has it, the wolf rushed at the friar, teeth bared, ready to attack. The friar made the Sign of the Cross, and suddenly the wolf slowed, and became docile. He laid his head in the friar’s hands.
The friar spoke to the wolf gently. He called him “Brother Wolf.” He scolded the wolf for terrorizing the town and for killing so many people, but offered the wolf deal: If the wolf promised to never again attack any person or animal, the townspeople of Gubbio would feed him and make sure he never went hungry again.
And the wolf agreed. The friar, of course, was St. Francis.
Legend has it the wolf lived near Gubbio for another two years. He would peaceably go from door to door, and the townspeople would feed him. And when the wolf died of old age, the townspeople mourned him.
The story teaches us a few things. Firstly, the power and love of God and the cross of Jesus Christ works to bring order in our lives. St. Francis was not a magician or a professional animal tamer. His life was filled with the love of God, and thus he was able to become an instrument of God’s peace.
But Francis did not become an instrument of God’s peace overnight. It came through prayer, penance, forgiveness, gentleness, humility, turning away from the ways of the world, in order to follow Jesus Christ. Again, he wasn’t a magician, rather, he became like Jesus by imitating Jesus in being devoted to the will of God.
May we follow his example, and know the power of his intercession, that we may be instruments of God’s peace in calming the ferocious wolves in our world, by being filled with the life of Jesus Christ for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.
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For Holy Pope Francis on this his patronal feast, for the grace to bring renewal to those parts of the Church which are crumbling—especially, a renewal of true faith, where faith has diminished or been corrupted.
For blessings upon all members of the Franciscan Orders, for vocations and that their witness may bring renewal to the Church.
For hope for the despairing and all those who suffer.
For the grace of perfect charity to fill our hearts for those in need.
That all God’s Holy People will be filled with the wisdom and discernment needed to know and obey God’s Holy Will.
For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, for the deceased priests and religious and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.
Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord.
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