Our Patron Saint
St. Francis of Assisi is remembered for his deep love of Christ, his care for the poor, and his reverence for all of creation.
As the patron saint of our parish, Francis continues to inspire us to live with humility, peace, generosity, and trust in God.
EARLY LIFE
From Comfort to Conversion
Francis was the son of Peter Bernardone, a successful Italian cloth merchant. As a young man, he was generous, lively, and drawn to adventure, but he was not the son his father had imagined taking over the family business.
Francis longed to become a knight. After battle, imprisonment, and illness, his life began to change. During his recovery, he became more attentive to God’s call and to the needs of the poor and forgotten around him.
A CALL TO SERVE
“Rebuild My Church”
After his conversion began, Francis reached out to the poor, the sick, and those rejected by society, especially lepers. He shared what he had and began repairing churches near Assisi.
When his father objected, Francis stood before the bishop of Assisi, returned his father’s possessions, and professed his love for God above all else.
THE FRANCISCAN WAY
A Life of Poverty, Peace, and Praise
After hearing the Gospel in which Christ sends His apostles to carry no possessions, Francis recognized God’s will for his life. He began a movement of poverty, prayer, travel, and preaching.
Others soon joined him. They called themselves the Friars Minor, and Pope Innocent III gave his approval. A second order for women was later established with St. Clare, who shared Francis’ devotion to prayer, simplicity, and trust in God.
CREATION AND CHRIST
United with Christ
Francis had a profound love for all of creation. His songs and prayers praise God through the sun, moon, stars, wind, water, fire, earth, and all living things.
His love for the crucified Christ shaped his whole life. Two years before his death, Francis received the stigmata, the sacred wounds of Christ, on his body.
St. Francis died in 1226. His feast day is celebrated on October 4.
Prayers of St. Francis:
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.
CANTICLE OF BROTHER SUN AND SISTER MOON
Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord, All praise is Yours, all glory, all honour and all blessings.
To you alone, Most High, do they belong, and no mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your Name.
Praised be You my Lord with all Your creatures, especially Sir Brother Sun, who is the day through whom You give us light.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendour, Of You Most High, he bears the likeness.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars, in the heavens you have made them bright, precious and fair.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air, and fair and stormy, all weather's moods, by which You cherish all that You have made.
Praised be You my Lord through Sister Water, so useful, humble, precious and pure.
Praised be You my Lord through Brother Fire, through whom You light the night and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.
Praised be You my Lord through our Sister, Mother Earth who sustains and governs us, producing varied fruits with coloured flowers and herbs.
Praise be You my Lord through those who grant pardon for love of You and bear sickness and trial.
Blessed are those who endure in peace, by You Most High, they will be crowned.
Praised be You, my Lord through Sister Death, from whom no-one living can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin!
Blessed are they She finds doing Your Will.
No second death can do them harm.
Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks, And serve Him with great humility.
ST. FRANCIS’ VOCATION PRAYER
Most High, Glorious God, enlighten the darkness of our minds.
Give us a right faith, a firm hope and a perfect charity, so that we may always and in all things act according to Your Holy Will. Amen.
ST. FRANCIS’ MEDITATION PRAYER
My God and My All!
St. Francis' Prayer in Praise of God Given to Brother Leo
You are holy, Lord, the only God, and Your deeds are wonderful.
You are strong.
You are great.
You are the Most High.
You are Almighty.
You, Holy Father are King of heaven and earth.
You are Three and One, Lord God, all Good.
You are Good, all Good, supreme Good, Lord God, living and true.
You are love.
You are wisdom.
You are humility.
You are endurance.
You are rest.
You are peace.
You are joy and gladness.
You are justice and moderation.
You are all our riches, and You suffice for us.
You are beauty.
You are gentleness.
You are our protector.
You are our guardian and defender.
You are our courage.
You are our haven and our hope.
You are our faith, our great consolation.
You are our eternal life, Great and Wonderful Lord, God Almighty, Merciful Saviour.
PRAYER OF ST. FRANCIS BEFORE THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
We adore You, O Lord Jesus Christ, in this Church and all the Churches of the world, and we bless You, because, by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
ST. FRANCIS’ PRAYER PRAISING MARY THE MOTHER OF JESUS
Hail, holy Lady, most holy Queen, Mary, Mother of God, ever Virgin. You were chosen by the Most High Father in heaven, consecrated by Him, with His most Holy Beloved Son and the Holy Spirit, the Comforter.
On you descended and still remains all the fullness of grace and every good. Hail, His Palace. Hail His Tabernacle. Hail His Robe. Hail His Handmaid. Hail, His Mother. And Hail, all holy Virtues, who, by grace and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, are poured into the hearts of the faithful so that from their faithless state, they may be made faithful servants of God through you.