After his experience in the ruined church of St Damian, we are told that Francis felt moved to rebuild it. Dressed in simple clothes, he started the rebuilding work single-handedly.

Pietro Bernardone wasn't particularly happy about his son's behaviour, having always had his heart set on Francis following him into the family business. So one day, he took him to the Bishop of Assisi, who he thought would knock some sense into Francis.

It would be easy for us to take Pietro’s side in this. After all, Francis’ actions were quite possibly those of a lunatic. But then, many of Jesus’ actions were equally incomprehensible to the people of his time. Francis saw following Jesus as being so radical that it made him look like a madman.

Pietro's plan backfired. As soon as he brought his son before the bishop, Francis renounced his father and his possession, tore off all his clothes and stood in front of everyone completely naked.

The Bishop wrapped his cloak around Francis, preserving his modesty and taking him under his wing.

Now, with the protection and support of the Bishop, Francis was free to carry on with the rebuilding of St Damian's, and when he had finished there, he decided to work on another church, Sancta Maria de Portiuncula. Once he had completed that work, he joined with the people worshipping there, and it was in one of the services that he heard a reading from Matthew's Gospel which spoke directly to him. In the reading, Jesus sends his disciples out, and says:

"Don't take along any gold, silver or copper coins. And don't carry a travelling bag or an extra short or sandals or a walking stick. Workers deserve their food." (Matthew 10:9).

Francis took this to heart. Dressing in nothing but a coarse tunic and a cord around his waist, he began to travel around the countryside, telling people about Jesus wherever he went. And as Francis touched the lives of the people he met, he began to gather followers.

By the time Francis had eleven disciples, he had decided to get the church's approval for what he was doing. This done, he wrote down some simple rules, and the Franciscan Order was born. The members of the order, who were called friars, followed a rule of chastity, poverty and obedience. Even today, the Franciscan Order follows these rules of Francis.

Next: Inspired by the life of Jesus