St. Francis and the Wolf of Gubbio: Created and Loved

The area around Gubbio was once terrorized by a fearfully large and fierce wolf which was so rabid with hunger that it devoured not only animals but even human beings….

Consequently, everyone in the town was so terrified that hardly anyone dared go outside the city gate. But God wished to bring the holiness of St. Francis to the attention of those people. Francis decided to meet this wolf though the citizens of Gubbio were certain it would attack him.

But St. Francis placed his hope in the Lord Jesus Christ who is master of all creatures. Protected not by a shield or a helmet, but arming himself with the Sign of the Cross, he bravely went out of the town….

The wolf came up as if to attack Francis but then laid meekly at his feet. Francis recounted the wolf ’s attacks on animals and people, saying that the people had a right to try to kill it.

“But, Brother Wolf, I want to make peace between you and them, so that they will not be harmed by you any more, and after they have forgiven you all your past crimes, neither men nor dogs will pursue you any more.” (Adapted from Little Flowers of St. Francis, 21)

Living as Francis Did

Without denying the harm that people had suffered, Francis recognized that the wolf, the townspeople, and their animals were all God’s creations.

Growing with Francis

Remember that those with whom you are in conflict are created and loved by God.

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