St. Francis and the Hare

Little Flowers of St. Francis, a classic collection of popular legends first printed in 1476, contains numerous stories of St Francis of Assisi’s love of the poor and of nature.

Francis’ striking rapport with animals is perhaps the most well-known aspect of his legend. For centuries he has been regarded as the patron saint of animals and, more recently, the ecological movement.

Here is one example of Francis’ rapport with animals: Once, when he was staying in the town of Greccio, a hare was caught in a trap and brought live to Francis by a brother Seeing the hare, Francis was moved to pity and said, “Brother hare, come here. Why did you let yourself be fooled in this way?”

As soon as the hare was released by the brother he leaped over to Francis and settled into his lap. After the hare had rested for a while, Francis let him go so that he could return to the wild. Yet each time he was placed on the ground, the hare ran back to Francis. Finally Francis asked that the brothers carry the hare to a nearby forest.