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St Francis of Assisi

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St. Francis of Assisi is known as the Seraphic Saint, with a nature befitting that of the angels. He was born to a wealthy family at Assisi, Italy in 1182. After a carefree youth he renounced the wealth of his family and answered God's call to rebuild his Church. St. Francis founded three orders -- the Order of Friars Minor, the second Order of the Poor Clares and the Tertiaries or Third Order of Saint Francis (Lay Order). All of the orders practice penance. He received the "Stigmata" on September 14, 1224. St. Francis wrote the "The Canticle of the Sun (see below)." He is the Patron Saint of Animals, Catholic Action, Ecology, Italy and Merchants.

Francis: Innovator
St Francis
Prayer of Peace
Benedict on the Mendicant Orders
 

 





Prayer Before the Crucifix

 

This simple prayer had its origin at the foot of the crucifix in the Chuch of San Damiano. It clearly reflects the struggle of the early years of the saint's life as well as his ever-present desire to fulfill the will of God.

"Most high and glorious God,

enlighten the darkness of my heart

and give me, Lord, a correct faith,

a certain hope, a perfect charity,

sense and knowledge

so that I may carry out

Your holy and true command."

- from the Words of St. Francis



Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much

seek to be consoled as to console.

To be understood, as to understand,

To be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

 

The Canticle of Brother Sun

Most High, all powerful, good Lord,

Yours are the praises, the glory, the honor,

and all blessing.


To You alone, Most High, do they belong,

and no man is worthy to mention Your name.


Praise be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon

and the stars, in heaven you formed them

clear and precious and beautiful.


Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind,

and through the air, cloudy and serene,

and every kind of weather through which

You give sustenance to Your creatures.


Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water,

which is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.


Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire,

through whom you light the night and he is beautiful

and playful and robust and strong.


Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Mother Earth,

who sustains us and governs us and who produces

varied fruits with colored flowers and herbs.


Praised be You, my Lord,

through those who give pardon for Your love,

and bear infirmity and tribulation.


Blessed are those who endure in peace

for by You, Most High, they shall be crowned.


Praised be You, my Lord,

through our Sister Bodily Death,

from whom no living man can escape.


Woe to those who die in mortal sin.

Blessed are those whom death will find

in Your most holy willl,

for the second death shall do them no harm.


Praise and bless my Lord,

and give Him thanks

and serve Him with great humility.

AMEN