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Puerto Rico's Wooden Saints : Images of  
Saint Francis of Assisi
Click on the thumbnails to see the images on their own page

	Luís Nieves Román 2006	José A. Román 2001	Evaristo González 2006
	Luís Nieves Román 1999	Carlos Santiago

Who was St. Francis of Assisi?   He is the patron saint of Italy, of animals and of the environment, who lived during the 13th century. He founded the order of the Franciscans.      He did believe that the external world was inherently good as a sign and revelation of God's providence and goodness, its purpose being to inspire our respect and love. More remarkable is his belief in the universal ability and duty of all creatures to praise God, and the duty of all men to cherish and protect God's divine creation of the natural world.

How is St. Francis represented in the Puerto Rican tradition of wooden saints? Because of the affection St Frances showed to animals and the power that he was said to have over them, it is usual to represent him in monk's attire surrounded by birds, often on his shoulders and between his hands, or at his feet; and with other animals at his feet.