The Peace Prayer of St. Francis by an anonymous Norman c. 1915 A.D. Peace Prayer Lord make me an instrument of your peace Where there is hatred, Let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; 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.

Saint Francis of Assisi Founder of the Franciscan Order Born at Assisi in Umbria, in 1181 or 1182 Died there, 3 October, 1226

Francis’ father, Pietro Bernardone, was a wealthy cloth merchant His mother, Pica, said to have belonged to a noble family of Provence Francis was one of several children Francis received some elementary instruction from the priests of St. George's at Assisi, though he learned more perhaps in the school of the Troubadours, who were just then making for refinement in Italy.

He was not very studious He worked with his father but didn’t like the merchant's career He was very spoiled No one loved pleasure more than Francis; he had a ready wit, sang merrily, delighted in fine clothes and showed off He was handsome, gallant, and courteous, he soon became the prime favorite among the young nobles of Assisi Francis showed an instinctive sympathy with the poor, and though he spent money lavishly he helped others less fortunate

Francis’ Metanoia He turned his life around and lived a life of poverty and prayer He is credited for his love of the poor and of the creatures of the earth He loved His God above all and sought Him in every living thing