“What would St. Francis be doing in the world today” was the topic of a recent essay contest for 8th graders at St. Hedwig School. Their 8th grade teacher Sarah Visser, supervised the writing and 44 essays were submitted. The local St. Maximilian Kolbe Secular Franciscan Fraternity sponsored the contest.
Although all students wrote well, the essay of Colin Koerin stood out as being very well thought-out, inspiring and articulate. The award was given on June 6 during the final awards ceremony with the students and their parents in attendance. Koerin read his essay to the audience and received prizes of $25 and a statue of St. Francis for his award winning essay.
A Saintly Goal
By Colin Koerin
St. Francis of Assisi was born to a wealthy merchant in Italy in the year 1182. Originally named Glovanni Francesco Bernardone, Francis lived a carefree, worldly life. After serving as a soldier, Francis was captured and taken as a prisoner of war. While imprisoned, Francis came down with a terrible illness. He pleaded with God to spare his life, in exchange, Francis promised to live a missionary lifestyle. Upon returning to Assisi, Francis changed his ways and began spending his father’s money on charity. His father grew angry and decided to cut his son off. That was when Francis of Assisi traded his rich garments for the simple clothes of a bishop. He devoted the next three years of his life to the care of outcasts and lepers. “Start by doing the necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible,” (St. Francis of Assisi). He then roamed the land preaching and helping all who came to him. St. Francis was a symbol for hope and life. He was a lover of those not wanted, the poor, the sick, and, most famously known for, his love for animals. His care and kindness entices our souls even today. He was the human guide to love, hope, and kindness. He did all that was asked of him, whether it was from God or from the homeless man on the street beside him. St. Francis of Assisi was and still is today, an inspiration to all.
“What a curious phenomenon it is that you can get men to die for the liberty of the world but will not make the little needed sacrifice that is needed to free themselves from their own individual bondage,” (Bruce Barton). Our world today is filled with conflict, poverty, humiliation, greed, and death. We humans are constantly craving more and more everyday. We live our day to day lives, making the biggest deal over the tiniest of situations while others are struggling to survive. But do we ever think of them, do we ever do something for them? Though most of us try to help as much as we can, it is usually not enough. The cold fact is most of us will never become saints because we live in a society that turns away from the horrible struggles of others simply because it is just too hard to look. That is why I believe St. Francis would be a great help to us today. Unlike us, Francis never looked away. He never turned his back on a helpless soul. He aided all those who needed him, even when it was hard to look. He tended to the lepers, who known one dared go near even then. He cared for the out casts who were shunned by their peers. He gave those who were lost hope. Today, St. Francis could aid those who are sick and homeless. In India, many are suffering from poverty and multiple sicknesses such as malaria, leprosy, and dysentery. He would care for them since no one else will. He would save thousands of lives and give millions hope for a better life. “We do not need magic to transform our world. We carry all of the power we need inside ourselves already,” (JK Rowling).