January 21, 2015 (Wednesday)
The present Pope has taken the name of Francis, after Francis of Assisi (1181 – 1226), who was an Italian Catholic friar and preacher. He devoted himself to a life of poverty. He was never ordained as a priest, but taught one rule to his followers: “Follow the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ and walk in his footsteps.” He declared, “he considered himself no friend of Christ if he did not cherish those for whom Christ died.”
In 1982, the pope said of Francis, “The poor man of Assisi gives us striking witness that when we are at peace with God we are better able to devote ourselves to building up that peace with all creation which is inseparable from peace among all peoples.”
“The Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi” was first printed in France in 1912 and appeared first in the United States in 1927. The prayer bears his name, but was not written by him. Nevertheless it reflects his pious life and teaching.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is discord, harmony;
Where there is error, truth;
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.