Francis of Assisi was born in late 1181 and given the baptized name, Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone,  His father was Pietro di Bernardone dei Moriconi, and his mother was Pica di Bourlemont of French decent. He was born into a wealthy family. His Father was a prosperous silk merchant. Pietro was in France on business when Francis was born, His Mother Pica had him baptized as Giovanni. Upon returning to Assisi, Pietro took to calling his son Francesco ("Free man" or "Frenchman"). It was probably because of Pietro's successful business  and hIs enthusiasm for all things French.

"We adore Thee most holy Lord Jesus Christ, here in all Thy Churches, which are in the whole world, because by Thy holy cross, Thou hast redeemed the world"
~ Francis of Assisi

"And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life." 

~ Francis of Assisi

"We have been called to heal wounds, to unite what has fallen away, and to bring home those who have lost their way. Many who seem to us to be children of the Devil will still become Christ's disciples." 

~ Francis of Assisi

"Do all you can to preach the gospel and if necessary use words!"
~ Francis of Assisi

"We have been called to heal wounds, to unite what has fallen away, and to bring home those who have lost their way. Many who seem to us to be children of the Devil will still become Christ's disciples."
~ Francis of Assisi

"Study always to have Joy, for it befits not the servant of God to show before his brother or another sadness or a troubled face."
~ Francis of Assisi

"...In this world I cannot see the Most High Son of God with my own eyes, except for His Most Holy Body and Blood."
~ Francis of Assisi

"What wonderful majesty! What stupendous condescension! O sublime humility! That the Lord of the whole universe, God and the Son of God, should humble Himself like this under the form of a little bread, for our salvation ...In this world I cannot see the Most High Son of God with my own eyes, except for His Most Holy Body and Blood."
~ Francis of Assisi

"As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in the age to come. From this sentence, we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come."
~ Francis of Assisi

"It was easy to love God in all that was beautiful. The lessons of deeper knowledge, though, instructed me to embrace God in all things." 

~ Francis of Assisi

"Do all you can to preach the gospel and if necessary use words!" 

~ Francis of Assisi

"Where there is Love and Wisdom, there is neither Fear nor Ignorance.

Where there is Patience and Humility, there is neither Anger nor Annoyance.

Where there is Poverty and Joy, there is neither Cupidity nor Avarice. 

Where there is Peace and Contemplation, there is neither Care nor Restlessness.

Where there is the Fear of God to guard the dwelling, there no enemy can enter.

Where there is Mercy and Prudence, there is neither Excess nor Harshness."
~ Francis of Assisi

"Nothing can tend so much to humble us before the mercy and justice of God as the consideration of His benefits and our own sins. Let us, then, consider what He has done for us, and what we have done against Him; let us call to mind our sins in detail, and His gracious benefits in like manner, remembering that whatever there is of good in us is not ours, but His, and then we need not be afraid of vainglory or of taking complacency in ourselves."
~ Francis of Assisi

"We should seek not so much to pray but to become prayer."
~ Francis of Assisi

"When we pray to God we must be seeking nothing - nothing."
~ Francis of Assisi

"Do few things but do them well, simple joys are holy." ~ Francis of Assisi

"Lord, help me to live this day, quietly, easily. To lean upon Thy great strength, trustfully, restfully. To wait for the unfolding of Thy will, patiently, serenely. To meet others, peacefully, joyously. To face tomorrow, confidently, courageously." 

~ Francis of Assisi

"The soul is perfected by knowledge and virtue."
~ Thomas Aquinas

"Happiness is secured through virtue; it is a good attained by man's own will."
~ Thomas Aquinas