St. Francis of Assisi: a lover and servant of God's creation

Basilica of St. Francis in Italy

Saint Francis was born in 1182. At one point in his life, he turned away from the materialism and wealth of this world and fully embraced Christ. He wanted to live a life of poverty and tell everyone by example and thorough preaching that God loves them. St. Francis wanted to spread the Gospel. He established a rule that countless others have freely chosen to follow to this day. It was approved by the Holy See. He also started an order of sisters and a society for the laity known as the third order. He was the one who began our tradition of the nativity scene to mark the birth of Christ. He died in 1226. After 786 years, his saintly life and testimony to the faith continue to be news that inspires us all to live and deepen our faith.

To celebrate this special day, why not take just a few minutes to listen to these wonderful words from the "Prayer of Saint Francis" beautifully sung to the images of the Basilica of St. Francis in Italy.

"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"

 

There's so much beauty and truth in our faith. Happy St. Francis of Assisi day!