Saint Francis and the Wolf
Here we
are, coming into the 21st Century. But now hear a tale
from the 13th Century.
There was in Italy then
a town called Gubbio, which was held hostage by a fierce
Wolf. This Wolf was very large and very hungry. Not
satisfied with rabbits and other wild game, it came
into the town to devour the sheep and the dogs and
even the people of the town. When folk would go out into
the country roundabout there was every chance of meeting
the Wolf of Gubbio and losing their life. Like most
towns of those days, this one had a big wall all around
it and the gates were shut tight at night.
People who had to go
out always took weapons with them in case they met
the Wolf. Even so, many were killed, as this criminal
animal managed to escape every time.
Once St.
Francis came that way on his travels through
the country and lodged in Gubbio for a while. He was
a monk and had no weapons at all; he was armed with
nothing but his love for God, man and all creatures,
and his faith in Jesus Christ. When St. Francis learned
of the Wolf and the way it was terrorizing the town,
he decided to cast out this demon. He told the people
of his intention to walk right out of the gates toward
the hills where the Wolf had his den, alone and unprotected.
The townspeople raised a howl of protest. They warned
of the fierce and savage nature of that animal, and tried
to stop Francis, whom they now loved very dearly, from carrying
out his plan.
But this was a fearless
man, and a determined one, when he felt he knew what
was right. Prevailing against their protests, he walked
right into the hills, while people climbed to the top
of the wall and stood on the roofs of houses. And what
do you think they saw? Here came the Wolf, running and panting
toward St. Francis, its jaws opened wide and sure of an
easy meal. But Francis held out his arm, made the sign of the
cross, and the Wolf closed its jaws, slowed to a trot, and
came up to the saint's feet. Wonder of wonders! And
more was to come.
"Brother Wolf,"
said St. Francis, "come here. I order you not
to hurt me nor anyone." The Wolf lay down on the
ground at his feet. "You have done great harm
in this region, destroying God's creatures without
any mercy, and even eating human beings, made in the
image of God. I want to make peace, now, between you
and these people of Gubbio who fear and hate you."
The Wolf began to wag its tail in agreement and to
flap its ears, as it lay peacefully at his feet. "They
must forgive you for your crimes of all these years, and
you must change your way of life and promise not to kill
here anymore."
"This is what we
will do:" St. Francis said, "We will make
a pact between you and the people of the town. They
will give you your food every day so long as you live.
I know, Brother Wolf, that it was due to hunger and greed
that you did all this mischief throughout these years. But
now you will not have to be hungry any more. Never again
will you hurt man or animal-- this must be your promise.
Now how shall I know that you have agreed?"
Brother Wolf stood up
and put his paw in the right hand of Francis and wagged
his tail. By these tokens it was understood that he
consented to the bargain. Then, like a lamb, he followed
the saint into the town and began his new life. The
people were astounded.
After some days St.
Francis departed the town. The Wolf lived two years
more, going from door to door for food. It hurt no
one and no one hurt it, and everyone in Gubbio felt bad
when it finally died.
There are other incidents of this kind in the lives of the saints, of every land. The special protector and lover of the creatures of nature was St. Francis, who saw the divine in all of them.
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