Dear Parishioners:
Today, we celebrate the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi. Francis was born in 1181 and died in 1226. Because of the historic nature of this anniversary, Bishop Barres has granted that Masses on this Sunday be the Mass normally reserved for the Feast of St. Francis.
St. Francis has always a special place in the minds and hearts of many Catholics and he is a saint who is so relevant for our times: love of animals, person of peace, care for creation, the birth of the modern-day Nativity scene, his receiving the stigmata (the wounds of Christ), care for the poor, etc.
I would recommend a book that I believe captures the spiritual essence of St. Francis, “The Journey and the Dream” by Fr. Murray Bodo, O.F.M. I believe the book is out of print but ask your local library to track down a copy and I have a copy if you would like (just make sure to return it!).
Below are some quotes from St. Francis:
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today”
“Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that have you have received–only what you have given.”
“I have been all things unholy. If God can work through me, He can work through anyone.”
“Preach the Gospels everyday & only if you have to…use words.”
And, of course, let us not forget the famous Peace Prayer of St. Francis (also a popular hymn)
“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
when 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.
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 [to ourselves] that we are born to eternal life.”
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
when 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.
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 [to ourselves] that we are born to eternal life.”
Remember: Together, we can do something beautiful for God.
In Christ,
Fr. Brian
PS: One of our hymns today, “All Creatures of Our God and King” also comes from his famous Canticle of the Creatures wherein St. Francis praises God in all his creation.