The Society of Saint Francis - Prayers of St Francis

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Prayers of St Francis

A prayer on entering a church

This prayer is recorded in Francis’ Testament, dictated as he lay dying. It was certainly not a new prayer, but one which he had used many times during his life.

We adore you, most holy Lord Jesus Christ,

here, and in all your churches throughout all the world;

and we bless you,

because, by your holy cross,

you have redeemed the world.

(Above: The bells of San Stephano, Assisi)

The Absorbeat

Francis certainly used this prayer, and it is characteristic of his spirituality, but it is now thought to be of earlier medieval origin.

May the power of your love, Lord Christ,

fiery and sweet as honey,

so absorb our hearts

as to withdraw them from all that is under heaven.

Grant that we may be ready

to die for love of your love,

as you died for love of our love. Amen

Salutation of the Blessed Virgin

Francis had a great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and her place in his writings demonstrates the centrality of the incarnation within his spirituality.

Hail, holy Lady, most holy Queen,

Mary, Mother of God, ever Virgin;

chosen by the most holy Father in heaven,

consecrated by him, with his most holy beloved Son

and the Holy Spirit, the Comforter:

on you descended and in you still remains

all the fullness of grace and every good.

Hail, his Palace; hail, his Tabernacle;

hail, his Robe, hail, his Handmaid;

hail, his Mother;

and hail, all holy Virtues, who,

by the grace and inspiration of the Holy Spirit,

are poured into the hearts of the faithful.

So that, faithless no longer,

they may be made faithful servants of God

through you.

A Song of Brother Sun (also known as the Canticle of the Creatures)

This is perhaps the best known of St Francis’ writings, and one of the best loved and most used. It has a particular resonance today when people are seeking to forge a new relationship with creation.

It was written towards the end of Francis’ life; the first part when he was seriously ill, probably in 1225; the second part in an attempt to make peace between the Mayor and Bishop of Assisi, who had quarrelled, and the final verse on his deathbed.

Most High, all powerful, good Lord

to you be praise, glory, honour and all blessing.

Only to you, Most High, do they belong

and no one is worthy to call upon your name.

May you be praised, my Lord, with all your creatures, especially brother sun,

through whom you lighten the day for us.

He is beautiful and radiant with great splendour;

he signifies you, O Most High.

Be praised, my Lord, for sister moon and the stars:

clear and precious and lovely, they are formed in heaven.

Be praised, my Lord, for brother wind

and by air and clouds, clear skies and all weathers,

by which you give sustenance to your creatures.

Be praised, my Lord, for sister water,

who is very useful and humble and precious and pure.

Be praised, my Lord, for brother fire, by whom the night is illumined for us:

he is beautiful and cheerful, full of power and strength.

Be praised, my Lord, for sister, our mother earth, who sustains and governs us

and produces diverse fruits and coloured flowers and grass.

Be praised, my Lord, by all those who forgive for love of you

and who bear weakness and tribulation.

Blessed are those who bear them in peace:

for by you, Most High, they will be crowned.

Be praised, my Lord, for our sister, the death of the body,

from which no one living is able to flee:

woe to those who are dying in mortal sin.

Blessed are those who are found doing your most holy will,

for the second death will do them no harm.

Praise and bless my Lord and give him thanks

and serve him with great humility.

The Prayer before the Crucifix

Francis prayed this prayer before the crucifix in the little church of San Damiano in 1205/6, in the early days of his conversion.

Most High, glorious God,

enlighten the darkness of my heart

and give me

true faith,

certain hope,

and perfect charity,

sense and knowledge,

Lord, that I may carry out

Your holy and true command

The Prayer of Saint Francis - or is it?

Many people, if asked for a prayer of St Francis, would name this one. However it is not in fact by Francis, but comes from an unknown French source, and was first recorded around 1913. But it is in the spirit of Francis, so it is included here along with the genuine prayers.

Lord, make us instruments of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let us 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 we 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

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