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Saint Francis was born in 1181 or 1182 in the Italian hill town of Assisi as Giovanni Bernadone. When Saint Francis was born, his father was away while he was named Giovanni Bernadone. When he returned, he immediately changed his name to Franceso, which meant, “The Little Franchman,” to remind him of his memories in France. Later, in the year 1182, he was known has Saint Francis of Assisi. His mother’s side of the family may have originailly came forth from Provence. However, his father, Pietro di Bernardone, was an business men of Assisi, and a prosperous cloth merchant. Early in his childhood, Francesco was sent to his parish church, the Clergy of San Giorgio to learn how to become a merchant. He learned Latin with the other boys, although he wasn’t very smart. As the years went by, he prefered to speak orally, rather than writing, because he believed that speaking outloud was a good way for people to understand what he is trying to say. Eventually, he devoted himself to be a merchant; following in his father’s footsteps. He was very generous as a merchant. He used all the money from his earnings he could for banquets and festivities, and anything that would help someone out.
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