Saint Francis and the Dangerous Wolf of Gubbio

*St. Francis and the Dangerous Wolf of Gubbio*

A wolf terrorized the inhabitants of the small Italian town of Gubbio. Not only did the wolf kill and devour livestock, but it began to attack and devour humans. All attempts made to kill the wolf failed, and the people of the town would literally shut down the town in fear whenever the wolf would appear.  

St. Francis heard of this and decided to go and meet the wolf. The huge wolf rushed toward Francis as soon as he saw the saint approaching.  St. Francis made the sign of the cross on the wolf and commanded the dangerous wild animal in the name of God to stop his terrorizing of the town.  

Immediately, the wolf became calm before the saint. Addressing it as brother wolf, Francis went on to condemn the wolf for his attacks not just on animals but upon men and women who are made in the image of God. 

Francis told the wolf that if he ended his attacks on human and their livestock, he would ensure that the inhabitants of Gubbio would provide him with the food he needed. The wolf placed his paw in Francis’ hand in agreement.  

Francis then walked the docile wolf back into the main square of Gubbio to the astonishment of the inhabitants and there reiterated the promise.  Again, the wolf placed his paw in the saint’s hand in agreement. The saint had tamed the wolf.

From that day, the inhabitants of Gubbio lived side by side in peace with the wolf. The wolf never attacked the people and their livestock again, and the inhabitants provided daily meals for the wolf as agreed.

This is why St. Francis is mostly painted with the wolf beside him.

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Pelayan Atasan Tertinggi / Most High Servant,
Yesus, Maria, Yusuf Pelayanan Kasih / Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love 
(Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)

My vocation is Blessed and Saints.

"I am the most humble of all the Saints in Heaven" Mary, Mother of God."

"I am the handmaid of the Lord, said Mary ‘let what you have said be done to me."

Mother Mary is the most humble Saint in Heaven and she is also the Mother of God for us all
(Luke 1:38)