I saw this printed on a Tee-shirt the other day, and the simplicity of it just about blew me over.

”Every Saint has a Past, Every Sinner has a Future”

ThT statement above got me thinking about how it is possible to forgive even the worst things, and even more amazingly, it is possible for people to make changes in their lives, correct their mistakes, and grow to be different people.

“Every Saint has a Past…”
In Catholicism (and even many other religions), one of the best known saints is St. Francis of Assisi, patron Saint of animals, merchants, and ecology. St. Francis is adored by not only adults, but also children, because of his gentle ways with animals and his natural appeal with “critters” that automatically draw children in.

But what most people do not know about St. Francis (or Francesco Bernardone as he was known early in life), is that he was not always the God fearing, pious man that the Catholic Church has come to portray. In fact, he spent the first part of his youth being quite the charmer and partyboy.

Francis was the type of young man that we would today equate with the football hero playboy. The charming, good looking young man whose family had money, and who had many youth following in his footsteps. And while this group of youngsters never did anything bad, they were mischievous, often skipping school and spending their nights at wild parties.

Like most young men of this age, Francis was enamored with the romance of the military. He didn’t necessarily wish to engage in battle, but he did want the glory and accolades that came with being a military hero. He answered the call to the Fourth Crusade by commissioning a full set of armor and cloak, decorated in gold no less!

Yet he only made one day’s march before his entire life was turned around.

”Every Sinner Has a Future…”
Francis received a dream from God. In his dream, God informed him that Francis had been wrong about everything in his life, and that he should turn his back on the war, turn around and go home.

Francis returned to Assisi in disgrace. Not only had he been boastful of all he would accomplish, but he also had this grandeur set of armor that had never even seen battle. He was mocked, laughed at, and called a coward.

Yet his conversion began that day. It was not immediate. He entered into desperate prayers and study. He would often go off by himself into caves or the wilderness to seek solitude and find that connection with God.

One of his pivotal moments came when Francis met a leper on the road. Francis had always been fanatical about cleanliness and beauty – and the leper absolutely repelled him. Nonetheless, he jumped down from his horse and kissed the leper’s hands, and asked for his blessing. After climbing back on his horse and riding away, Francis looked back, and the leper was no longer there. Francis always felt this was a test from God as to the true state of his heart.

Soon he came to the church of St. Damiano. During prayer he heard Jesus telling him “repair my Church”. Unfortunately Francis just thinking too small, and took that to mean repair the church building. God had far greater plans in mind for this man.

By living a life of simplicity, gentleness, and humbleness – Francis slowly began to rebuild the Church as a whole. By example he showed errors and scandal had a way to be redeemed and forgiven – and could be changed to reflect God, just as he had done with his life. He never called out his fallen brethren in public, instead preferring to go to them privately, gently and try to bring them back into the fold.

St. Francis is of course best known for his work with animals and nature. This is because he felt all aspects of nature were a part of God- and were a way to connect to God. Even the smallest sparrow carried a piece of the Holy Spirit, and should treated with respect.

So from self-absorbed party boy to self-sacrificing priest, St. Francis of Assisi truly represents “Saint to Sinner”.

But there are everyday examples of this.

The drug addict that learns she is pregnant, and goes through the traumatic experience of detox so that her baby can be born healthy.

The drunk-driver that speaks all across the county for MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) in order to show a real life example of what driving drunk can do to all involved.

The former gang-banger that goes back to his neighborhood and joins the Big Brother/ Big Sister program just so he can keep another kid from making the same mistakes he did.

And the list goes on.

People can and do change for the better every day.

“Every Saint Has a Past, Every Sinner Has a Future”
If you have ever made a mistake – it is not the end. The only way you can never make amends is if you are dead. As long as there is breath – there will always be a second chance.

What will you do with yours?

If you are interested in purchasing the T-shirt I mentioned in this article, I found it at The Pyramid Collection.