Revised March 2008

Chapel of St Francis

Here is his best known prayer (Even though it was written by someone else very much later)

If the tune is not already playing click here

Click on the pictures for further information

Crucifix in St Damian's Church
from which Jesus spoke to Francis
saying
Rebuild My Church

Lord,
Make me an instrument of thy peace:
Where there is hatred let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there 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 giving that we receive, it is pardoning that we are pardoned.
And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

**Canticle of Brother Sun(or Canticle of The Creatures which was its original and better title)**

Composed by Francis during an Ecstasy which brought him out of a fortnight of physical and mental suffering.

Most High Almighty Good Lord, Yours are praise, glory, honour and all blessings; To You alone! Most High, do they belong, and no man is worthy of speaking Your Name! Be praised, Lord, with all Your creatures, and above all our Brother Sun, who gives us the day by which You light our way, and who is beautiful, radiant and with his great splendour is a symbol to us of You, O Most High!

And be praised, Lord, for our Sister Moon and the Stars. You created them in the heavens bright, precious and beautiful!

And be praised, Lord, for our Brother the Wind and for the air and the clouds and for fair weather and for all other through which You sustain Your creatures.

And be praised, my Lord, for our Brother Fire, through whom You light up the night and who is handsome, joyful, robust, and strong!

And be praised, my Lord, for our Sister, Mother Earth, who supports and carries us and produces the diverse fruits and colourful flowers and trees!

Praise and bless the Lord and give thanks to Him and serve Him with great humility! /p>

Be praised, my Lord, for our Sister, bodily Death from whom no living man can escape!

Woe only to those who die in mortal sin; but blessed are those who have done Your most holy will; for the second death** can cause them no harm!

** If you are unfamiliar with the Second Death go to Revelation

A more decorative and slightly different version of the canticle I made for the TSSF website is available HERE.
There is also PDF file for printing in which I have tried to make the grammar consistent HERE

Other Francis References on this site are indexed HERE

Return to The Temple