Prayer of St. Francis

Today (October 4) is the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, a twelfth century saint known for his life of radical poverty and his work to rebuild the Church. He was also well-known for his love of animals. He is the patron saint of the environment.

Here is his prayer for peace, something that we so desperately need in our world. I invite you to spend some time with these words, and imagine what life might be like if we all lived life according to them.

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 seek not so much 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.