Saint Francis of Assisi

Today is the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi. He was a poor man who inspired the Church by following all that Jesus said and did, joyfully, without limit. Serious illness and prayer led him to a self-emptying, like that of Christ. He met a leper on the road. It symbolized his complete obedience to what he had heard in prayer:

"Francis! Everything you have loved and desired in the flesh, it is your duty to despise and hate, if you wish to know My Will. And when you have begun this, all that now seems sweet and lovely to you will become intolerable and bitter, but all that you used to avoid will turn itself to great sweetness and exceeding joy."

From the cross in the neglected field-chapel of San Damiano, Christ told him,

"Francis, go out and build up my house, for it is nearly falling down."

Francis became the totally poor and humble workman. He gave up every material thing he had, piling even his clothes before his earthly father, who was demanding restitution for Francis' "gifts" to the poor, so that he would be totally free to say, "Our Father in heaven." He believed what Jesus said: "Announce the kingdom! Possess no gold or silver or copper in your purses, no traveling bag, no sandals, no staff." Luke 9:1-3

During the last years of his short life, he was half blind and seriously ill. Two years before his death, he received the stigmata, the painful wounds of Christ in his hands, feet and side. How did Francis respond to blindness and suffering? It was during his suffering that he wrote the beautiful Canticle of the Sun praising God for creation. Francis never recovered from this illness. He died at the age of 45. He is the founder of all Franciscan orders and the patron saint of ecologists and merchants. On his deathbed, he said over and over again the last addition to his Canticle of the Sun, "Be praised, O Lord, for our Sister Death."

The Canticle of the Sun
by Saint Francis of Assisi
Most high, all powerful, all good Lord! All praise is yours, all glory, all honor, 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 splendor! 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 colored 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.

Saint Francis was a witness of a life of faithfulness, of poverty, of humility and of simplicity. May we follow in his footsteps and develop these virtues so that we may grow in our knowledge and love of Jesus and Mary.