As we approach October, I seem to Have St. Francis on my mind a lot. October 4th, we celebrate him for being the Patron Saint of Animals, Nature and ecology. Many pet blessings take place also. Francis of Assisi was gentle with his brother wolf, the birds, and all of nature, yet hard on himself, who he called brother ass. He was full of love for all Gods creatures and praised God for our sister, Mother Earth.
Francis was certainly offbeat in many ways, yet I think we would be too, if we had the opportunities he had witnessed in the thirteenth century, like the miracle of the famous Crucifix in San Damiano that spoke to him, saying: “Francis go and repair my house which is falling completely in ruin”. This being the Roman Church at the time, yet he thought it was the small little Church of San Damiano. I had the gift of a lifetime to be able to walk the grounds, view the cross which spoke to him and the tomb of Saint Francis.
Assisi is a place I look forward to a return visit someday. The Upper Basilica is made up of marble, Gothic columns and stained glass windows. The entire town of Assisi is a piece of art that I will treasure in my heart and mind and will forever. While walking the narrow streets, alleys, and stairways, I could feel the presence of St. Francis everywhere. The imprint that he made by his love, compassion, and dedication to Christ and God’s creatures has touched all denominations and religions.
I often wonder if he lived today, how he would look at our world of paganism, greed, waste and self centered individualism that that seems to haunt the society and culture we live in. Will social order and control override the holiness that we were intended to have in this world? His prayer for peace could be used today by each of us who call ourselves children of God. (All Faiths)
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy 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;
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.
The city of Assisi is so simple, just like Saint Francis of Assisi lived his life. My next visit will be a retreat for a minimum of seven days to refuel the soul, cleanse the mind and become closer to God as I take a closer look at the life and times of one of my favorite Saints.
