St. Francis of Assisi

Today is the feast day for Saint Francis of Assisi. He is the patron saint of animals and was the founder of the Friars Minor. The Catholic Encyclopedia has an article. We've seen the film Brother Sun, Sister Moon, which is the story of the beginning of his ministry.

The Prayer of St. Francis

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.

The picture at the top of the post is by Giotto.