The Poverello

As I opened my Daily Missal today I happened upon the memorial card of Brother Francis, a Franciscan Brother and the natural brother of one of our Sisters. Sadly, Brother Francis died several weeks ago. On the back of the card was the well-known Prayer of St. Francis. I share it with you today in honor of this great Saint. And as we pray the prayer let it be a new invitation to follow in the footsteps of the Little Poor Man of Assisi. At Mass today Father said that because of our Baptism we are filled with the life of Jesus; it is the Holy Spirit who enlivens that life in us and enables us to be a reflection of the Lord. St. Francis was an untarnished, clear reflection of the Christ he loved so much. May all those who see us today see Jesus reflected in our countenance and in our actions. (picture reflects St. Francis' adoring Jesus in the Christmas crib.)

Lord, make me an instrument of your 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
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.