Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi

Throughout the year Catholics take time to remember people and events that have been important in our faith.  Today is the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi.  He is one of my favorite saints, a lover of animals and children and the author of one of my favorite prayers.  Today, in honor of his feast day, I like to share it with you.

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.