I am writing this on October 4, the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, who incidentally, our amazing Pope and our care for creation ministry are named after. What an amazing example for us to all follow. Pope Francis, in fact, named his wonderful Laudato Si encyclical after the beginning of Saint Francis’s Canticle of the Creatures.
On the occasion of his feast day, I wish to share another of Saint Francis’ works, the Prayer of Saint 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;
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.
A special thanks to Father Crispin and all who came to Sunday’s Blessing of the Animals, which was, of course, a wonderful way to celebrate Saint Francis. Working together, we can help take care of our common home.
Paul Litwin
Saint Francis of Assisi at St John the Evangelist 