At the age of 14 Saint Francesco Antonio Fasani entered the Conventual Franciscan order in 1695 taking the name of Francis and he was ordained in 1705. He taught philosophy to the younger friars, then the provincial of the order, master of novices and then pastor in his hometown. People sought after him for confession. He was a friend to the poor and found benefactors for what was needed. He was a mystic and had a deep prayer life and was known to levitate while in prayer. He was known for his great preaching. From an eyewitness account about his preaching for his canonization, "In his preaching he spoke in a familiar way, filled as he was with the love of God and neighbor; fired by the Spirit, he made use of the words and deed of Holy Scripture, stirring his listeners and moving them to do penance." When he died on November 29, 1742, children ran though the street crying "The saint is dead! The saint is dead!"
Pope John Paul II said at his canonization on April 13, 1986, "Francesco made the love taught us by Christ the fundamental characteristic of his existence, the basic criterion of his thought and activity, the supreme summit of his aspirations."
When I die, what will people be saying about me? How will people remember me?
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