No one loved pleasure more than Francis; he had a ready wit, sang merrily, delighted in fine clothes and showy display. Handsome, gay, gallant, and courteous, he soon became the prime favourite among the young nobles of Assisi, the foremost in every feat of arms, the leader of the civil revels, the very king of frolic. But even at this time Francis showed an instinctive sympathy with the poor, and though he spent money lavishly, it still flowed in such channels as to attest a princely magnanimity of spirit.”
— From the Catholic Encyclopedia (more, click here)
His Greatness St. Francis, the peacemaker and nature lover.
St. Clare: She always stopped and asked for directions when her spiritual partner St. Francis got them lost.
The so-called “Peace Prayer of St. Francis” doesn’t appear in any known writings of His Greatness Saint Francis, a military veteran and party boy who settled down and gave up a life of wealth and privilege for poverty; rebuilt a church that was in shambles on a divine command; dismounted from his trusty steed one day and kissed a leper on the lips; risked his life reaching out to some nasty enemies; and became one of world history’s greatest friends of animals and nature.
Francis is famous for, among other things, “The Peace Prayer of Saint Francis,” which is attributed to him. But there is no written record of his ever speaking or writing it, even though it certainly has the powerful theology and spirit of St. Francis in it.
It first appeared in a French magazine in 1912. It was often seen printed on a small card that had a picture of Francis on one side and the prayer on the other. It’s far and away my favorite prayer and there’s no time like the present for re-posting here, yet again.
And for a word about his spiritual partner St. Clare–this is a very nun-friendly blawg as longtime readers know–click here.
And may the peace of Christ and St. Francis, the sort of peace that surpasses all understanding, be with you in our continuing Lenten journey.
“O Lord, make me an instrument of Thy Peace!
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.Where there is discord, harmony.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sorrow, joy.
Oh 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.”
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