Francis, go and build up My house, which as thou seest, is falling into ruin. To fulfill this command of Our Lord, St. Francis of Assisi (c. 1181-1226) began by restoring physical churches and continued by building up the spiritual Church. Francis humility, purity, and true joy inspired many to conversion and a deeper faith. Never ordained a priest, St. Francis nonetheless was a preacher and a miracle-worker of the first ordercuring, prophesying, casting out devils, turning water into wine, and raising people from the dead. The Life of St. Francis of Assisi by St. Bonaventure conveys a picture of the Saint that renders an indelible impression of a man totally transformed in God and by God.