In June 2021, the federal government passed legislation to make September 30 a federal statutory holiday called the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

This day will be observed in Saskatchewan, but it is not yet a statutory holiday in Saskatchewan for employees who are not federally regulated.

St. Francis was born in Assisi, Italy, in 1181. He was from a wealthy family. He served as a soldier and was a prisoner of war. After a pilgrimage to Rome, he decided to devote his life to the Christian faith and renounced all of his wealth to lead a life of poverty. His powerful preaching and simple life garnered many followers, and he formed the Franciscan Order of Preaching Friars. He was said to have preached to birds and animals, and is recognized as patron saint of the environment, animals, and birds because of the respect he gave to all God’s creatures. He designed the first living Nativity set. St. Francis died in 1226.

Learn more at https://www.franciscanmedia.org/who-was-st-francis-of-assisi/