5 things to know about St. Francis of Assisi’s devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary

This year marks the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis, which will be celebrated on his feast day, Oct. 4. October is also a month dedicated to the Blessed Mother and the holy rosary, which helps us meditate on Christ and the great mysteries of our salvation. The timing provides good reason to examine the exceptional devotion St. Francis had for the Blessed Mother.

Here are some fascinating facts to know about St. Francis, the Franciscan order he founded, and the Blessed Mother:

St. Francis had a vision where he saw his friars try to reach Christ by a steep red ladder, but they kept falling off. Then Jesus showed him a second, less steep, white ladder that had Our Lady at the top. He told Francis: “Advise your sons to go by the ladder of my mother.” Many have given testimony stating St. Francis was one of the strongest Marian devotees in Church history. Servant of God Thomas of Celano, one of Francis’ friars, said that Francis’ love for the Blessed Virgin was beyond words, “inexpressible … for it was she who made the Lord of Majesty our brother.” St. Francis made the Blessed Mother the patroness and queen of the Friars Minor. St. Bonaventure, one of Francis’ early…