St Francis of Assisi - History

He was a passionate believer in peace and peace building. As a young man Francis was confronted by the horror of war. He spent his early twenties as a professional soldier, was held as a POW for a year and by his mid-twenties had grown tired of searching for glory in war. He saw no future in violence. At twenty-five he embraced a new, more spiritual way of life and over the next twenty years transformed not only himself but thousands of others who joined his Franciscan communities. He died aged 45.

Francis "lived a life". He did not set out to found a religious community. It was the quality of his personality, his example and his down-to-earth teachings that attracted people to him. He committed himself to living a simple poverty and challenged those around him to do the same. He would stir his friends by telling them that he had married "Lady Poverty". As the son of a wealthy merchant Francis could have chosen a comfortable life. Instead, he responded to the inequality he saw around him by living as closely as he could to the poor and marginalised.
 

Francis praised God for the people and things around him. His spirituality was based on a connection he felt to all creation. Francis allowed nature to touch him and in turn passed on this sense of joy and peace. He was deeply optimistic…no one or thing was beyond redemption.

St Francis of Assisi - Prayers and Poems

The prayers and poetry of Francis of Assisi are known throughout the world. His famous "Canticle of the Sun" in which he called the sun and moon "Brother Sun" and "Sister Moon" was written 800 years ago and still speaks to us.

Canticle of the Sun

Most high, all powerful, all good Lord!
All praise is yours, all glory, all honour, and all blessing.
To you, alone, Most High, do they belong.
No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your name.
Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures,
especially through my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day;
and you give light through him.
And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendour!
Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.
Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars;
in the heavens you have made them, precious and beautiful.
Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air, and clouds and storms,
and all the weather,
through which you give your creatures sustenance.
Be praised, My Lord, through Sister Water;
she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.
Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire,
through whom you brighten the night.
He is beautiful and cheerful, and powerful and strong.
Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth,
who feeds us and rules us,
and produces various fruits with coloured flowers and herbs.
Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of you;
through those who endure sickness and trial.
Happy those who endure in peace, for by you,
Most High, they will be crowned.
Be praised, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death,
from whose embrace no living person can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin!
Happy those she finds doing your most holy will.
The second death can do no harm to them.
Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks, and serve him with great humility.

Franciscan Prayer for Peace

Lord, make me an instrument of 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 Lord,
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.

St Francis of Assisi, 1181 - 1226

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