Thames Windows

Saint Francis of Assisi

St Francis, our patron, was born in Assisi, Italy, in 1182. He founded the Franciscan Order. Although many Franciscans these days are priests, Francis himself was not a priest. He died in 1226.

Birds are used as the symbol of St Francis, and in this case it is a highly coloured, stylized New Zealand kea.

The figure also shows other aspects of St Francis: the dove for the Instrument of Peace song which Francis composed, the sackcloth he wore (to show his poverty), the rope belt with knots (symbolizing his vows), the stigmata (the marks of Christ's wounds on his hands and feet)

His feast day is 4 October.