St. Francis Prayers

St. fRaNciS pRayERS

“Yes, the sparrow has found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young: even your altars, O LORD of Hosts; my King and my God.”

-Psalm 84:3

St. fRaNciS PRayERS: "LORd, MaKE ME AN iNStRuMENt Of tHy pEAcE"

As Celtic Christian Lay Monks in the Spirit of St. Francis, we are greatly inspired by his life and example.

We have therefore chosen to memorize and pray this prayer nightly before retiring to sleep.

It is engraved on a plaque placed on the wall, where it is the first thing seen when someone enters our House Monastery.

Lord, make me an instrument of thy 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;

It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

“Beagán a rá agus é a rá go maith.”
“Say little but say it well.”

-Old Gaelic Saying

St. Francis is the Patron Saint of Animals, and of Ecology. His Feast Day is October 4, when many Churches will pray for your pets.

St. fRaNciS pRayERS: (HiS SONG) "cANticLE Of bROtHER SuN"

The San Damiano Cross is well-known because beneath it, St. Francis was asked by Christ to rebuild His Church.

It was painted in the 1100’s, measuring almost 75 inches high, 47 inches wide, and is nearly 5 inches thick.

It is currently housed in the Basilica of St. Clare in Assisi.

The Cross is called an Icon Cross, because it contains images of persons who have a part in the meaning of the Cross.

The tradition of such Crosses began in the Eastern Church, and was carried by Serbian Monks to the Umbrian district of Italy.

The Byzantine style was common in Italy before the time of the artists Cimabue and Giotto.

The San Damiano Cross was one of a number of crosses painted with similar figures during the 12th century in Umbria.

The purpose of an Icon Cross was to teach the meaning of the event depicted, and thereby strengthen the faith of the people. _______________

(Originally Called: “The Canticle of the Creatures”)

Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord, All praise is Yours, all glory, honor and blessings.

To You alone, Most high, do they belong; no mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your name.

We praise You, Lord, for all Your creatures, especially for Brother Sun, who is the day through whom You give us light.

And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor; of You Most High, he bears Your likeness.

We praise You, Lord, for Sister Moon and the stars, in the heavens you have made them bright, precious and fair.

We praise You, Lord, for Brothers Wind and Air, fair and stormy, all weather’s moods, by which You cherish all that you have made.

We praise You, Lord, for Sister Water, so useful, humble, precious and pure.

We praise You, Lord, for Brother Fire, through whom You light the night. He is beautiful, playful, robust and strong.

We praise You, Lord, for Sister Earth, who sustains us with her fruits, colored flowers, and herbs.

We praise You, Lord, for those who pardon, for love of You bear sickness and trial. Blessed are those who endure in peace, by You Most high, they will be crowned.

We praise and bless You, Lord, and give You thanks, and serve You in all humility.

“Charge those that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy;”

-1 Timothy 6:17

“Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks. For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

-1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

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“It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness.”

“The way to do a great deal is to keep on doing a little. The way to do nothing at all is to be continually resolving that you will do everything.”

-Charles SpurgeoN

(1834-1892), English Baptist: “The Prince of Preachers”

St. fRaNciS pRayERs - “WE SHOuLd NOt SEEK SO MucH tO pRay, but tO bEcOME pRayER.” -St. fRaNciS Of ASSiSi (1181/82-1226 A.d.)

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin…”

-Zechariah 4:10 (NLT)

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San Damiano Song (From the Film: Brother Sun, Sister Moon) Lyrics by: Donovan

If you want your dream to be, Build it slow and surely.

Small beginnings, bigger ends.

Heartfelt work grows purely.

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If you want to live life free, Take your time go slowly. Do few things but do them well.

Simple joys are holy.

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Day by day, stone by stone,

Build your secret slowly.

Day by day, you’ll grow, too,

You’ll know heaven’s glory

St. Francis is the creator of the Nativity Scene

He used real animals and people, including a real mother and baby.

Francis is also credited with being the first person to write poetry in Italian,

instead of in Latin, as had always been done until then.

yOuR cOmmENtS: bROtHER ALbERt, OfM (ORdeR Of fRiaRS MiNOR)

As a Franciscan Friar, I found your website to be very interesting.

I am excited by your ministry; I am especially interested in hearing of communities such as yours which clearly demonstrate how much we all share in common. May the Lord continue to bless you and your worthwhile ministry.

Peace and all good!

-Brother Albert, OFM (Order of Friars Minor)

St. Francis Prayers: St. Francis’ typical greeting was the Prayer/blessing: “Pax Et Bonum!” (“Peace and all good!”).

GOd's cREAtiON :

“Ask the animals and they shall teach you;

ask the birds of the air and they shall tell you;

or speak to the earth and it shall teach you,

and the fish of the sea shall declare it to you:

Which of all these does not know

that the hand of the Lord has done this?

In whose hand is the soul of every living thing,

and the breath of all mankind.”

-Job 12:7-10

Monk-Dog Wolfgang (German Shepherd Dog) AKC/American Kennel Club Registered Name: “Wolfgang Amadeus Preston”

St. baSil tHE GREAt

The Three Cappadocians, also known as The Cappadocian Fathers

St. Basil was born c. 329 A.D., and died on January 1, 379. He studied first in Caesarea, next in Constantinople, and then in Athens, where he became friends with St. Gregory of Nazianzus (c. 329-390).

These two men fought against the heresies prevalent at that time (especially Arianism, which rejected the Divinity of Christ and the Trinity). With Basil’s brother, St. Gregory of Nyssa (c. 335-c. 394 A.D.), they became known as The Three

CappadocianS.

Basil was made Bishop of Caesarea in 370 A.D. He greatly influenced religious life in both the East and the West, and is one of the thirty-three Doctors of the Church (recognized great Christian Teachers).

He is one of only a few Christian Teachers honored with the title: The Great.

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The Western Church considers the four greatest Doctors of the Eastern Church to be:

John Chrysostom, Basil the Great, Gregory of Nazianzus, and Athanasius of Alexandria.

The three Cappadocian Fathers, along with St. Athansius (all four were Bishops of the Church), formulated the doctrines related to the Christian understanding of the Trinity.

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