ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI
October 4 is the feast day for St. Francis of Assisi, who I believe to be, the best-known saint in our secularized society. He was born sometime in 1181 or 1182, died 1226, and then was canonized quickly in 1228 by Pope Gregory IX. He was an Italian mystic, poet and founder of the Franciscan mendicant order.
Francis grew up in a wealthy family but had a conversion experience that moved his spirit toward a love of simplicity and poverty. There are many legends about Francis, speaking to animals, healing many sick, blind and lame individuals. Francis loved to sing praise to God and felt a kinship with all of creation, calling on Brother Sun and Sister Moon in his prayers. Franciscan practices and devotions have developed over time, such as the blessing of animals on his feast day in churches around the world. He is said to have set up a manger scene for the first time in 1223 in Greccio, Italy, so common folk could contemplate the birth of Jesus.
It is said that Pope Francis took the saint’s name as a reminder to keep the poor in mind and to show care and concern for creation and the environment. His encyclical Laudato Si’ is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year! St. Francis is the patron of many causes: of the poor; of creation; of Italy; of ecology; against dying alone; of families; of needleworkers; and of many religious communities.
During these troubled days of 2025 we acknowledge his patronage for the cause of peace in our world. Let us pray the prayer often attributed to 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.
Amen.
Pat Carter, CSJ is a disciple, a teacher and an advocate for the poor. She has been a Sister of St. Joseph for more than half of her life and loves to use words to inspire faith and laughter. She is a cantor at her parish of St. Jerome’s in Sault Ste. Marie.
