By the end of Francis's life, in 1226, three new religious orders had grown from his work and his example, all based on his original Rule of absolute poverty, obedience and service to the poor. Francis was canonized in 1228, and Clare in 1255, two year after her death. Now, some eight centuries later, Francis's work is still continued, and some four-million people come very year to visit his tomb in Assisi. Giotto's fresco of Francis preaching to the birds was the image which first sparked my thoughts about a Holy Fool. This book certainly proves that, and does it in a most interesting and readable way.
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