St Francis of Assisi -4th October

St Francis of Assisi is also known as the patron saint of animals, the environment and one of the two patrons of Italy (with Catherine of Siena). Francis was born in Assisi, Italy to Pietro di Bernardone, a wealthy cloth merchant in 1811. As a youngster, he was bright, popular and athletic, though he occasionally showed signs of his later love for charity and disdain for the world.

Saint Francis of Assisi (Giovanni Francesco di Bernardone; 1181/1182 – October 3, 1226) was a unique spiritual personality who gave up a life of wealth and social position to embrace a life of poverty and chastity – With the approval of the Pope, he founded a new Monastic Order, commonly known as the Franciscans. St Francis is considered one of the greatest saints in the Christian tradition and an example of a life lived in imitation of Jesus Christ.

Peace Prayer of Saint 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;
and 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.

St. Francis of Assisi’s prayer given to Brother Leo

You are holy, Lord, the only God, 
and Your deeds are wonderful. 
You are strong. 
You are great. 
You are the Most High. 
You are Almighty. 
You, Holy Father are King of heaven and earth. 
You are Three and One, Lord God, all Good. 
You are Good, all Good, supreme Good, 
Lord God, living and true. 
You are love. You are wisdom. 
You are humility. You are endurance. 
You are rest. You are peace. 
You are joy and gladness. 
You are justice and moderation. 
You are all our riches, and You suffice for us. 
You are beauty. 
You are gentleness. 
You are our protector. 
You are our guardian and defender. 
You are our courage. You are our haven and our hope. 
You are our faith, our great consolation. 
You are our eternal life, Great and Wonderful Lord, 
God Almighty, Merciful Saviour. 

Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi before the Blessed Sacrament

We adore You, O Lord Jesus Christ, in this Church and all the Churches of the world, and we bless You, because, by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

St. Francis of Assisi’s prayer praising Mary the Mother of Jesus

Hail, holy Lady, most holy Queen,
Mary, Mother of God, ever Virgin.
You were chosen by the Most High Father in heaven,
consecrated by Him, with His most Holy Beloved Son
and the Holy Spirit, the Comforter.
On you descended and still remains all the fullness of grace and every good.
Hail, His Palace.
Hail His Tabernacle.
Hail His Robe.
Hail His Handmaid.
Hail, His Mother.
and Hail, all holy Virtues, who, by grace and inspiration of the Holy Spirit,
are poured into the hearts of the faithful
so that from their faithless state,
they may be made faithful servants of God through you.

Saint Francis’s Prayer Before the Crucifix

Most High, Glorious God,
enlighten the darkness of our minds.
Give us a right faith, a firm hope and a perfect charity,
so that we may always and in all things act according to Your Holy Will.
Amen.

Devotion to Saint Francis of Assisi

O beloved Saint Francis, gentle and poor, your obedience to God and your simple, deep love for all God’s creatures led you to the heights of heavenly perfection and turned many hearts to follow God’s will. Now, in our day, pray also for us, in our ministry to the many who come here searching for peace and intercede for us as we come before the Lord with our special requests.
[Mention your special intention.]
O blessed Saint of God, from your throne among the hosts of heaven present our petitions before our faithful Lord. May your prayers on our behalf be heard and may God grant us the grace to lead good and faithful lives. Amen.
Saint Francis of Assisi, Pray for us. Amen.

Saint Francis’s Canticle of All Creatures

Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord,
All praise is Yours, all glory, all honour and all blessings.
To you alone, Most High, do they belong,
and no mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your Name. 

Praised be You my Lord with all Your creatures,
especially Sir Brother Sun,
Who is the day through whom You give us light.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendour,
Of You Most High, he bears the likeness.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars,
In the heavens you have made them bright, precious and fair. 

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air,
And fair and stormy, all weather’s moods,
by which You cherish all that You have made. 

Praised be You my Lord through Sister Water,
So useful, humble, precious and pure. 

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 our Sister,
Mother Earth
who sustains and governs us,
producing varied fruits with coloured flowers and herbs.
Praise be You my Lord through those who grant pardon
for love of You and bear sickness and trial.
Blessed are those who endure in peace,
By You Most High, they will be crowned. 

Praised be You, my Lord through Sister Death,
from whom no-one living can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin!
Blessed are they She finds doing Your Will.
No second death can do them harm.
Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks,
And serve Him with great humility. 

Heavenly Father,
You gave Your servant Francis
great love for each of Your creatures.
Teach us to see Your design in all of creation.
We ask this in Jesus’ Name.

Amen. 

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