Prayer of St. Francis
Yesterday, October 4, was the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. Francis, who was born to wealth but turned his back on a life of luxury in order to serve the poor, lived from around 1181 until 1226. He started the Rule of Francis, later to be called the Order of the Franciscans, which was dedicated to the renunciation of wealth in order to lead a life of service to all and especially the poor. Famous for his simple life-style and regard for all living things, Francis is known as the patron saint of animals. In his honor, increasingly number of congregations have a “blessing of the animals” service where folks are invited to bring their pets and remember that God gives us these companions and all animals to be a treasured blessing. Francis has also served as the inspiration for the current Pope, who took his name this past year, and continues to advocate for the virtues of a simple life and respect for all people.
The most famous of those prayers written by or associated with St. Francis reads like a poem, and in thanksgiving for his life and ongoing inspiration, I’ll offer it below as our poem for this week. Below the text of the words is a video put together by the good folks at The Work of the People that sets his prayer and poem to music and image.
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.
Post image: José de Ribera, “Francis of Assisi” (1642).
THANK YOU