St. Francis and the Friars Minor
- 1181/1182
Birth of Francis Bernardone in Assisi.
- 1202
War between Assisi and Perugia.
- 1202-1203
Francis is held prisoner in Perugia.
- 1204
Francis's illness and recovery.
- 1206
The voice from the cross in the little church of San Damiano: "Francis, go and repair my house...". Conversion of Francis.
- 1206-1208
Francis rebuilds the churches of San Damiano, San Pietro and Our Lady of the Angels.
- 1208.02.24
The words of the Gospel in the little church of the Portiuncula.
- 1208.04.16
Francis's first disciples: Bernard of Quintavalle, Peter Catani and Giles.
- 1208
The first missions: to the March of Ancona and to Florence.
- 1209 (1210)
Innocent III approves the Rule of the Friars Minor orally. Beginning of the First Order.
- 1211
Conversion of Clare. Clare is clothed at the Portiuncula. Beginning of the Second Order.
- 1215
Fourth Lateran Council. Francis was probably present and met St. Dominic.
- 1216
Honorius III grants Francis the Portiuncula indulgence.
- 1217.05.05
Chapter at the Portiuncula. The brothers set out on missions. On the advice of Cardinal Hugolino, Francis stays in Italy.
- 1219.05.26
The Chapter of Mats. The brothers go to Germany, France and Morocco.
- 1219
Francis visits the Sultan.
- 1220
Martyrdom of the brothers sent to Morocco. Francis in the Holy Land. On hearing of a division in the Order he returns to Rome.
Honorius III appoints Cardinal Hugolino protector of the Order.
Francis resigns the office of Minister General and entrusts it to Peter Catani.
- 1221
Death of Peter Catani.
Brother Elias becomes Minister General.
Francis writes the First Rule, known as the Earlier Rule (Regula non bullata).
Beginning of the Third Order.
- 1221/1222
Francis preaches in southern Italy.
- 1223
Francis writes the second Rule.
- 1223.11.29
Pope Honorius III approves it as the Second Rule, or Later Rule (Regula bullata).
- 1223.12.24/25
The first Christmas crib at Greccio.
- 1224
General Chapter. Brothers are sent to England.
Francis's forty-day fast on Mount La Verna; the stigmata (14 September).
- 1224/1225
Francis preaches in Umbria and the Marches.
- 1225/1226
Francis suffers from an eye disease and is treated by physicians.
- 1226.10.03
Death of Francis.
- 1228.07.16
Pope Gregory IX proclaims Francis a saint.
- 1230.05.25
The body of St. Francis is moved to the basilica built in his honour.