When you look at the life of St. Francis, there is hardly anything remarkable to behold. In almost every way, he was an ordinary man. Compared to other saints, I cannot think of a single superlative that we could add to his name that wouldn’t fit better with a handful of others.

At yet, his life has captured the hearts of millions. The effect that he (and his order) have had on the world is incalculable. People revere him as the greatest of saints, and I have to wonder: why?

On the eve of his feast day, I offer my own take on why I believe him to be the greatest of saints.