St. Francis of Assisi

St. Francis of Assisi (c. 1181–1226), Italian San Francesco d’Assisi, baptized Giovanni, renamed Francesco, original name Francesco di Pietro di Bernardone, (born 1181 or 1182, Assisi, duchy of Spoleto—died October 3, 1226, Assisi; canonized July 16, 1228; feast day October 4), founder of the Franciscan orders of the Friars Minor (Ordo Fratrum Minorum), the women’s Order of St. Clare (the Poor Clares), and the lay Third Order. He was also a leader of the movement of evangelical poverty in the early 13th century.

He lived a pleasure-filled life as a young man until he went to fight the war against neighboring Perugia. He was taken prisoner in 1202. Upon his release, he returned home seriously ill. It was in the neglected church of San Damiano at Spoleto that he heard the crucifix speak to him: "go and repair my house, which you see is falling down." He took these instructions literally, which enraged his father, but, renouncing his inheritance, rebuilt San Damiano, begging for money for supplies. He rebuilt the Christian church and live in poverty. A few other young men of his status eventually joined him, and in 1209, he wrote his first holy rule. Saint Francis of Assisi abandoned a life of luxury for a life devoted to Christianity.

In 1224, while praying on the mountain of La Verna, Francis reportedly received a vision that left him with the stigmata of Christ — marks resembling the wounds Jesus Christ suffered when he was crucified — making Francis the first person to receive such holy wounds. These wounds stayed with him for the remaining two years of his life. Even though he founded the Franciscan friars, he was never ordained a priest.

He was canonized as a saint on July 16, 1228. During his life he also developed a deep love of nature and animals and is known as the patron saint of the environment and animals. He called all animals brother and sister and exhorted every creature to honor its Creator. His life and words have had a lasting resonance with millions of followers across the globe. Each October, many animals in the world are blessed on his feast day. His feast day is October 4th.

Lạy Chúa, xin hãy dùng con như khí cụ bình an của Chúa

Để con đem yêu thương vào nơi oán thù,

Đem thứ tha vào nơi lăng nhục,

Để con đem tin kính vào nơi nghi nan,

Chiếu trông cậy vào nơi thất vọng,

Để con dọi ánh sáng vào nơi tối tăm,

Đem niềm vui đến chốn u sầu.

Lạy Chúa xin hãy dạy con,

Tìm an ủi người hơn được người ủi an,

Tìm hiểu biết người hơn được người hiểu biết,

Tìm yêu mến người hơn được người mến yêu.

Vì chính khi hiến thân là khi được nhận lãnh,

Chính lúc quên mình là lúc gặp lại bản thân;

Vì chính khi thứ tha là khi được tha thứ,

Seigneur, fais de moi un instrument de ta Paix! Là où il y a de la haine, que je mette l'Amour; Là où il y a l'offense, que je mette le Pardon; Là où il y a la discorde, que je mette l'Union; Là où il y a l'erreur, que je mette la Vérité; Là où il y a la doute, que je mette la Foi;

Là où il y a le désespoir, que je mette l'Espérance; Là où il y a les ténèbres, que je mette la Lumière; Là où il y a la tristesse, que je mette la Joie.

O Maitre, que je ne cherche pas tant à être consolé

Qu'à consoler, à être compris qu'à comprendre,

A être aimer qu'à aimer,

Car c'est en donnant qu'on recoit,

C'est en s'oubliant qu'on se trouve,

C'est en pardonnant qu'on est pardonné,

C'est en mourant qu'on ressuscite à l'éternelle vie.

D'après Saint Francois D'Assise