Saint Francis of Assisi (1182-1226), cherished as a spiritual troubadour and a saint for the whole Church, became Europe's shining light in a time of utter spiritual and political darkness. He went before kings, commoners, a skeptical Church, and even an Islamic sultan with his message: We can cease our struggles and be sons of the eternal King! Take no thought for yourself, and He will never fail you, so great is His loving care.