October 4th - Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

Tomorrow, October 4th, is the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. A very popular saint, Francis was the founder of the order that bears his name, the Franciscans. Prior to founding his order, he was at prayer before a crucifix at St. Damian's chapel in Assisi, similar to the one shown above, when he heard a voice speak to him and say, "Go, Francis, and repair my house, which as you see is falling into ruin." St. Francis certainly did that and more.

As stated in the Lives of the Saints:

"Francis of Assisi has captured the heart and imagination of men of all religious persuasions by his love for God and man, as well as all God's creatures, by his simplicity, directness, and single-mindedness, and by the lyrical aspects of his multifaceted life. However, he was far more than an inspired individualist. He was a man possessed of vast spiritual insight and power; a man whose all-consuming love for Christ and redeemed creation burst forth in everything he said and did."

Let us pray the prayer that is attributed to St. Francis that inspires living our faith in all that we do:

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