Saint Francis of Assisi (1181/82–1226) was the son of a wealthy merchant in Umbria, Italy, who renounced his riches after a profound conversion and chose a life of radical poverty, humility, and service to Christ. Embracing simplicity, he founded the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans), inspiring others to live in poverty, preach the Gospel, and show reverence for all creation. Known for his joy, compassion, and devotion to the poor and outcast, Francis also received the stigmata, becoming the first recorded person to bear the wounds of Christ. He died at Assisi in 1226, was canonized just two years later, and remains one of the most beloved and influential saints in Christian history.Dom Prosper Guéranger's The Liturgical Year, a monumental fifteen-volume work, offers a comprehensive exploration of the Catholic Church’s liturgical calendar, guiding readers through the spiritual and historical richness of the Church’s worship. Written in the 19th century, the series provides daily meditations, historical context, and liturgical texts for the Mass and Divine Office, covering the entire cycle of seasons—Advent, Christmas, Lent, Passiontide, Easter, and the Time after Pentecost—as well as feast days of saints. Guéranger’s work, rooted in a deep contemplative spirit, aims to immerse the faithful in the Church’s prayerful life, emphasizing the unity of faith through the axiom lex orandi, lex credendi ("the law of prayer is the law of belief"), and remains a cherished resource for Catholics seeking to deepen their spiritual lives. Dom Prosper Guéranger (1805–1875) was a French Benedictine monk, liturgical scholar, and founder of the Solesmes Abbey, renowned for his pivotal role in reviving the Benedictine Order in France and restoring the Roman liturgy after the disruptions of the French Revolution. Born in Sablé-sur-Sarthe, he entered the priesthood in 1827 and, inspired by a vision to restore monastic life, reestablished the Benedictine community at Solesmes in 1833, becoming its first abbot. A staunch defender of ultramontanism and traditional Catholic worship, he also championed the revival of Gregorian chant, significantly influencing the liturgical renewal movement.