St. Francis of Assisi, October 4
Son of a wealthy cloth merchant, Francis (1182-1226) gave up everything to live in poverty and preach. He founded the Friars Minor, wrote the Canticle of the Creatures and received the stigmata in 1224. Patron of Italy and of ecology, his feast is marked by the blessing of animals.
On the General Roman Calendar, October 4 is a memorial: Saint Francis of Assisi.
Name days on October 4
In countries that keep name days, October 4 is the day for people named Francis, Frank, and Francesca. These names come from the same saint, as variants, nicknames or forms used in other languages.
| Name | Feast day |
|---|---|
| Francis | October 4 |
| Frank | October 4 |
| Francesca | March 9 |
October 4 on the calendar
October 4 is the 277th day of the year (the 278th in a leap year), with 88 days left until December 31. Here is the day of the week it falls on in the coming years:
| Year | Day |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunday |
| 2027 | Monday |
| 2028 | Wednesday |
| 2029 | Thursday |
| 2030 | Friday |
Keeping October 4
October 4 falls in October, the month of the rosary. As a memorial, the saint is named in the opening prayer of every Mass celebrated that day. Families who keep name days often mark the day with a card, a candle or a favorite meal, and parishes named after the saint may hold a festival. If you know someone named Francis, Frank, and Francesca, it is a good day to send a note.
Saints of the week around October 4
| Date | Saint or feast |
|---|---|
| October 1 | St. Thérèse of Lisieux |
| October 2 | Guardian Angels |
| October 3 | St. Theodora Guérin |
| October 5 | St. Faustina Kowalska |
| October 6 | St. Bruno |
| October 7 | Our Lady of the Rosary |
The day before, October 3, is the day of St. Theodora Guérin. The day after, October 5, belongs to St. Faustina Kowalska. Looking for a name? Try the name day calendar or go back to today’s saint.