Submitted by Fr. Peter Ullrich, OSB, St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Tarkio

Friday, October 4, the churches celebrate the life and memory of St. Francis of Assisi. Francis one of the most popular of all the men and women we call “saints.” He has been and is still revered throughout the Christian world. Francis was born in Assisi in 1182 into a wealthy merchant family and his father presumed he would follow in the family textile business. He did not possess the native talent for business, but demonstrated a more free spirited style of life. Fairly early in life he experienced a vision, hearing the voice of Jesus, who directed him to repair an old run-down church nearby. In keeping with his spirit Francis renounced his wealth and family and set out to rebuild that chapel – now the church of St. Damiano in Assisi. Soon he attracted followers to his simple style of life. They formed a small community that lived a simple life style, cared for the poor, and preached the Gospel. Francis is known to have once said: “Preach often and when necessary use words.” In time his followers were formed into what would become the Franciscan order of friars in the church. Francis himself was ordained a deacon, but never a priest. He died in 1226. He is considered the patron saint of Italy and ecologists given his own love and reverence of creation. Pets are often blessed on the feast of St. Francis. Our current pope took the name “Francis” when he was elected in 2013. Two famous pieces are attributed to him – the “Prayer of St. Francis” and “The Canticle of the Sun,” though scholars debate the authenticity of that claim.

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.