Saint Francis is considered the founder of the Franciscan Order. Because his is also the patron of animals, it became common for churches to hold ceremonies blessing animals on or around his feast day. It is said that he would call on creatures to join him in praising God, and the birds would sing with him. One of his many miracles involved calming a wolf that was terrorizing a town. He had a vision of the Crucified Christ, who impressed the marks of the 5 sacred wounds (the stigmata) on him.
