Over the weekend we celebrated an integral part of our Franciscan heritage, the Feast of St. Francis.

Francis was born in 1182 in Assisi, Italy. His father was a wealthy cloth merchant. After trying his hand at being a knight and living a life of partying and irresponsibility, Francis had a conversion. He renounced his inheritance and began to live a life of poverty. Soon others joined him in what became the Franciscan movement. The love of Christ crucified permeated the entire life of Francis, and he tried to imitate Christ as much as possible. Francis had a love for the poor and for all creation. The Order of Friars Minor, the Poor Clares and the Third Order Regular and Secular all trace their roots to Francis of Assisi. He died in 1226.

May we follow the example of St. Francis and all be instruments of his peace.

Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy 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.