Carved wooden door panel of the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, Italy
that powerfully illustrates the story of St. Francis and the Wolf of Gubbio

 

An Umbrian legend is told of a very large wolf that was terrorizing the citizens of Gubbio. Not only were the live stock being eaten, but also the people’s children were being taken, and when the locals tried to retaliate, they were no match for the terrible fangs of the ferocious beast. At their wits’ end, they went to ask St. Francis what could be done.

 

St. Francis went into the forest where the creature was known to prowl, much to the apprehension of the townspeople who scattered when they heard a loud growling, but when the giant wolf appeared St. Francis showed no fear and asked him to come close and began to talk quietly to him. Amazingly the wolf bowed his head and lay down at Francis’s feet and listened attentively as the saint spoke. He said, “Brother Wolf, you have no need to attack and kill the good people of Gubbio, and if you truly repent to God, I will speak to them on your behalf.”

 

The wolf agreeingly walked side by side with Francis into the center of the town as everyone gathered to witness the miracle. Francis explained the peace bargain and instructed the townspeople to feed their new friend and the wolf put his large paw into Francis’s hand to seal the bargain. The wolf was well cared for and visited each home in turn to enjoy their hospitality. He became a local celebrity and a beloved mascot of the town and when he died, he was mourned deeply by his human friends and given a traditional burial with honor.

 

The Church of St. Francesco della Pace (The Church of St. Francis of Peace) was later built over this burial site and the cave where the Gubbio Wolf was said to have once lived. In the church’s renovations of 1872, an excavation under a stone slab revealed a skeleton of a remarkably large wolf. The people of Gubbio again honored the remains with a burial under the church altar where they rest in peace today.    – Robin Davis

 

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St. Francis and the Wolf of Gubbio – Photo and text © Robin Davis