461
SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI
Saint Francis of Assisi (1181 or 1182–1226) was the son of a wealthy cloth merchant in Assisi, Italy. Francis later rejected the worldly, materialistic life he had previously led, and became a Catholic friar. He founded the Franciscan order, the women’s Order of Saint Clare, and the lay Third Order of Saint Francis. Saint Francis is one of the most venerated religious figures in Roman Catholic history, recognized for his humble devotion to God. Real men know humility.
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.