More detailed than most Saint Francis medals available today, you'll find this one more unique than most, with his Prayer for Peace on the back. On the front is the traditional image of St Francis and the wolf*** with the message surrounding the image:
The medal measures 1-1/8 inch high with the loop by 3/4 inch wide.
This medal is just the right size to hang on your dog's collar or to
wear on your bracelet or necklace as a reminder of the devotion of our
companion animals to us.
*** The Story
The story of St Francis and the Wolf is a great
learning experience for all of us. Legend has it that St Francis was
visiting a town that had been besieged by a wild wolf. Not only did the
wolf kill the town's pets, but also livestock and other wild animals -
and people. No one ventured past the town's boundaries for fear of being
mauled or killed.
St Francis volunteered to go
reason with the wolf and a local friar and some of the townspeople. Not
everyone had the strength of belief in God's protection as did St
Francis, so his entourage dwindled as he approached the forest.
Only he and the friar were left as the wolf charged from behind the
trees, mouth open, ready to strike. St Francis made the Sign of the
Cross, and, much to everyone's surprise, the wolf stopped in his tracks.
The saint explained to the wolf that he had been terrorizing the town,
the animals, the people. He asked the wolf to make a pact with him to
end such behavior and to become friendly with the humans, who were
created in the image of God. Then, St Francis asked the wolf and the
townsfolk to both agree to forgive the past and move on.
Unbelievably, the wolf moved towards St Francis and nodded his head.
Then St Francis offered his hand and the wolf extended his front paw
into the saint's hand. St Francis then invited the wolf to accompany him
back to town. Meekly, the wolf agreed. St Francis, wolf at his side,
entered the town and offered the people a lesson, taught by the wolf. He
called upon the people to repent their sins and offered them peace
amongst themselves and that other creature of God, the wolf.
The townspeople made a pact to keep the wolf fed and not to hurt him.
In return, the wolf agreed to be peaceful as well. For two years, the
wolf went from door to door, accepting food from the people of the town.
Even the local dogs treated the wolf warmly, never barking.
The wolf's peaceful ways were a living reminder of the wonders of God
and the patience, virtue and holiness of St Francis. When the wolf died
of old age, he was mourned, but his memory was a reminder of the power
and providence of the living God.
This lovely legend may or may not be true, but certainly, we can see the wolf as a
representation of the beloved animals in our lives.