Peace and all good!
On Sunday, Oct. 4, we celebrate the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. Blessed with vast spiritual insight, Francis’ love for Christ permeated every aspect of his life and showed through in everything he said and did.
As people who embrace the teachings of St. Francis, I’m sure you recognize the words of his Peace Prayer, and can see in them their happy harmony with his generous, joy-filled spirit.
What better time than his feast day to reflect on this beautiful expression of St. Francis’ guide for living and to think about how each of us can show our love of Christ through everything we say and do each day. Are we understanding of others? Do we strive to forgive what we perceive to be a wrong done to us by another? When we see sadness in others, do we offer consolation and seek to bring them joy? By doing so, we can help others — and ourselves — to heal in mind, body and spirit.
On this special day my prayer is that we put into daily practice the spiritual values of St. Francis of Assisi and become the light of Christ by bringing joy, hope, compassion and love to all whom we encounter.
Sister Roberta Smith, OSF
General Minister
Peace Prayer of St. Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is error, the truth;
Where there is doubt, the faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And 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.
