St. Francis of Assisi Medals

St. Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of animals because of his legendary tenderness toward every living creature — he preached to flocks of birds, reportedly tamed a wolf that had been terrorizing the Italian town of Gubbio, and wrote the Canticle of the Sun, which praises God through Brother Sun, Sister Moon, and all created things. Pope John Paul II formally recognized this dimension of his holiness in 1979 when he declared Francis the Patron of Ecology as well. Every year on October 4, his feast day, Catholic parishes around the world hold a Blessing of Animals in his honor, bringing pets, farm animals, and even zoo animals to receive a blessing in his name.

The Blessing of Animals is celebrated on or near October 4, the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, and it is one of the most widely observed popular devotions in the Catholic Church. The tradition draws directly from Francis's belief that animals are fellow creatures of God deserving of reverence and care, a conviction he expressed in both his preaching and his poetry. Parishes, cathedrals, and even secular institutions like the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City hold outdoor ceremonies where people bring their pets — dogs, cats, rabbits, horses, and more — to receive a priestly blessing. Giving a St. Francis medal as a gift in the weeks leading up to October 4 connects the recipient to this centuries-old tradition in a tangible, wearable way.

The story of the wolf of Gubbio, recorded in the 14th-century collection of Franciscan stories known as the Fioretti, tells how a fierce wolf had been attacking and killing both livestock and people in the Umbrian town of Gubbio, driving the townspeople to live in fear. Francis walked out of the town gates alone to meet the wolf, made the sign of the cross, and addressed the animal as "Brother Wolf" — calling him to peace on behalf of Christ. According to the account, the wolf lowered his head, lay down at Francis's feet, and placed his paw in Francis's hand as a sign of agreement; Francis then brokered a pact in which the townspeople would feed the wolf in exchange for his peaceful behavior. Whether read as literal miracle or spiritual parable, the story captures the heart of Franciscan spirituality: that peace, not force, is the way of the Gospel, and that every creature is capable of responding to love.

St. Francis of Assisi is one of the most popular and meaningful Confirmation saints a young Catholic can choose, precisely because his conversion story is so dramatic and his values are so clear. He was a young man of privilege who chose radical simplicity, a would-be soldier who became an apostle of peace, a poet who found God in sunlight and sparrows — themes that resonate deeply with teenagers and young adults navigating questions of identity and vocation. Choosing Francis as a Confirmation patron is especially fitting for young people who care about animals, the environment, social justice, or the arts. A St. Francis medal given at Confirmation serves as a daily reminder of the values the confirmand is publicly committing to live.

Most St. Francis medals show him in the brown Franciscan habit with a knotted cord belt, often holding a bird or with a bird perched on his outstretched hand — a reference to his famous sermon to the birds at Bevagna. Many medals also depict the stigmata wounds on his hands, honoring the moment in 1224 when he received the five wounds of Christ on Mount La Verna. Some designs feature the tau cross, the T-shaped symbol Francis used as his personal seal, taken from the Book of Ezekiel. The reverse of many medals carries a short prayer or the words "Patron of Animals" or "Patron of Ecology." Our medals are struck in the USA by Bliss Manufacturing in sterling silver, 14kt gold filled, and 14kt solid gold, ensuring that the fine detail of these traditional designs is rendered with lasting clarity.

Yes — every St. Francis of Assisi medal we carry is made in the United States by Bliss Manufacturing, one of the country's most respected Catholic jewelry producers. Bliss has been crafting religious medals and necklaces for decades, using high-quality sterling silver, 14kt gold filled, and 14kt solid gold, with each piece finished to a standard that holds up to daily wear. All medals are backed by a lifetime guarantee, so if your necklace ever chips, tarnishes, or breaks under normal conditions, we will replace it at no cost. We believe that a medal worn close to the heart as an act of devotion deserves the same quality and care that went into the saint's own life — and USA-made craftsmanship by Bliss delivers exactly that.