St. Francis

St. Francis of Assisi

There is a lot about the life of St. Francis of Assisi that I admire. His voice challenged the church to seek mercy, walk in humility, live in simplicity, and seek peace at a time when "church" meant political power and great wealth. He was a radical man for his time, and his words and life still teach us today.

October 4th is the Feast Day of St. Francis in the Catholic Church. I'll make use of the occasion to share with you "The 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.

Amen.