This medal was chosen as the 55th issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series in 1957.
The obverse bears St. Francis and some of his friars in prayer. Around, BLESSED ARE THEY WHO HUNGER AND THIRST AFTER HOLINESS; in exergue below, © PIETRO MONTANA; below, Sacred Heart.
The reverse bears St. Francis embracing knelling leper. Around, (branch) WHERE THERE IS DESPAIR (dragon) LET ME BRING HOPE (dove); below, (PM monogram).
This medal was actually slightly revised from the design sketches that Montana had submitted three years earlier, in 1954. In his "Message from the Artist" Montana wrote:
"It has been said that of all the saints throughout the ages, St. Francis of Assisi has been the one most widely known and most loved by people of all faiths and creeds. He came into the world at a time when tre charity, love of God, and obedience to His will wer eat a low ebb. St. Francis, by his way of life, brought many of his contemporaries back to God and set an example that still influences the souls of men."
This medal measures 73mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York. The reported production quantity of this medal is 658 in bronze and an unknown quantity in silver.