Franciscan Prayers
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PEACE PRAYER ATTRIBUTED TO ST. FRANCIS
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IN HONOR OF ST. CLARE,
on the 800TH ANNIVERSARY OF HER BIRTH in 1994
(Image: St. Clare of Assisi by Simone Martini)
Holy Mother Clare, Daughter of Holy Poverty, you chose to know every need. We live in a plentiful time. Remind us, grateful in such Providence, that we may still join the Poor Christ and all Poor People in the Powerlessness of Poverty by accepting graciously those things we cannot control or influence.
Holy Mother Clare, Daughter of Holy Chastity, for Love Himself, you gave up singular human love. We live in a liberal time. Call us to better witness the personal fulfillment experienced in God's mysterious hundred-fold return by our harmonious expression of our voluntary consecration to Christ and the service of His Church.
Holy Mother Clare, Daughter of Holy Obedience, you led well because you first followed well. We live in an individualistic time. Encourage us to be humble-mannered and mild-tongued until we are humble and mild hearted.
Holy Mother Clare, Daughter of Holy Simplicity, we live in a complicated time. Teach us to remain simple so Wisdom may guide.
(Prayer by a Sister of St. Francis, Hankinson, ND, 1994.)
on the 800TH ANNIVERSARY OF HER BIRTH in 1994
(Image: St. Clare of Assisi by Simone Martini)
Holy Mother Clare, Daughter of Holy Poverty, you chose to know every need. We live in a plentiful time. Remind us, grateful in such Providence, that we may still join the Poor Christ and all Poor People in the Powerlessness of Poverty by accepting graciously those things we cannot control or influence.
Holy Mother Clare, Daughter of Holy Chastity, for Love Himself, you gave up singular human love. We live in a liberal time. Call us to better witness the personal fulfillment experienced in God's mysterious hundred-fold return by our harmonious expression of our voluntary consecration to Christ and the service of His Church.
Holy Mother Clare, Daughter of Holy Obedience, you led well because you first followed well. We live in an individualistic time. Encourage us to be humble-mannered and mild-tongued until we are humble and mild hearted.
Holy Mother Clare, Daughter of Holy Simplicity, we live in a complicated time. Teach us to remain simple so Wisdom may guide.
(Prayer by a Sister of St. Francis, Hankinson, ND, 1994.)
MARIAN ANTIPHON OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI
Holy Virgin Mary, among women, there is no one like you born into the world: you are the daughter and the servant of the Most High and Supreme King and Father of heaven, you are the mother of our Most Holy Lord Jesus Christ, you are the spouse of the Holy Spirit. Pray for us with Saint Michael the Archangel and all the powers of the heavens and all the saints to your most holy beloved Son, the Lord and Master. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
(Image: Our Lady of the Sunsets by Lorenzetti -- Lower Basilica of St Francis, in Assisi Italy 1310–1329)
(Image: Our Lady of the Sunsets by Lorenzetti -- Lower Basilica of St Francis, in Assisi Italy 1310–1329)
PRAYER OF ST. FRANCIS BEFORE THE SAN DAMIANO CRUCIFIX
All highest, glorious, God,
cast your light into the darkness of my heart.
Give me right faith, firm hope, perfect charity, and profound humility,
with wisdom and perception, O Lord,
so that I may do what is truly your holy will.
CANTICLE OF THE CREATURES
Most High, all-powerful, all good, Lord! All praise is yours, all glory,
all honor and all blessing. To you, alone, Most High, do they belong.
No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce you name.
All praise be yours, my Lord, through all that you have made, and first,
my Lord, Brother Sun, who brings the day; and light you give to us through him. How beautiful is he, how radiant in all his splendor!
Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.
All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Moon and Stars;
In the heavens you have made them, bright and precious and fair.
All praise be yours, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air,
and fair and stormy, all the weather's moods, by which you cherish all that you have made.
All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Water, so useful, lowly, precious and pure.
All praise be yours, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you brighten up the night.
How beautiful is he, how gay! Full of power and strength.
All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Earth, our mother, who feeds us in her sovereignty and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.
All praise be yours, my Lord, through those who grant pardon for love of you; through those who endure sickness and trial. Happy those who endure in peace. By you, Most High, they will be crowned.
All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Death, from whose embrace no mortal can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Happy those She finds doing your will.
The second death can do no harm to them.
Praise and bless my Lord, and give him thanks, and serve him with great humility.
Most High, all-powerful, all good, Lord! All praise is yours, all glory,
all honor and all blessing. To you, alone, Most High, do they belong.
No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce you name.
All praise be yours, my Lord, through all that you have made, and first,
my Lord, Brother Sun, who brings the day; and light you give to us through him. How beautiful is he, how radiant in all his splendor!
Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.
All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Moon and Stars;
In the heavens you have made them, bright and precious and fair.
All praise be yours, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air,
and fair and stormy, all the weather's moods, by which you cherish all that you have made.
All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Water, so useful, lowly, precious and pure.
All praise be yours, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you brighten up the night.
How beautiful is he, how gay! Full of power and strength.
All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Earth, our mother, who feeds us in her sovereignty and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.
All praise be yours, my Lord, through those who grant pardon for love of you; through those who endure sickness and trial. Happy those who endure in peace. By you, Most High, they will be crowned.
All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Death, from whose embrace no mortal can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Happy those She finds doing your will.
The second death can do no harm to them.
Praise and bless my Lord, and give him thanks, and serve him with great humility.
BLESSING OF BROTHER LEO by ST. FRANCIS
May the Lord bless you
and keep you...
may He make his face
to shine upon you...
May the Lord bless you.
PRAYER WHEN PASSING BY A CHURCH
We adore you,
O Lord Jesus Christ,
here and in all the Churches of the world,
and we praise You
because by Your Holy Cross
You have redeemed the world.