St. Francis of Assisi

Who was St. Francis of Assisi? 

Saint Francis of Assisi was a Catholic friar who gave up a life of wealth to live a life of poverty. He established the Franciscan Order of friars and the women’s Order of the Poor Ladies. He is known as the patron saint of animal and the natural environment, and it has become customary for churches to hold ceremonies blessing animals on or near his feast day of 4 October.

Saint Francis of Assisi by Jusepe de Ribera

As Francis lived his life of poverty and preached to people about the life of Jesus Christ, people began to follow him. He had one basic rule which was “To follow the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ and to walk in his footsteps”.

Love for Nature
Francis was known for his love of nature and animals. There are many stories about Saint Francis and his preaching to animals. It is said that one day he was talking to some birds when they began to sing together. Then they flew into the sky and formed the sign of a cross.

St. Francis Prayer of Peace 

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
And it’s in pardoning that we are pardoned
And it’s in dying that we are born to Eternal Life