Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

Today is the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. He is the founder of the Franciscan Order and know as the patron saint of animals. Although he was born into a wealthy family, St. Francis chose to serve God and live a life of poverty. He is often portrayed as a kind of "milktoast" man, who wore long robes and spoke to animals all day. St. Francis saw God in all the world... the sun, moon, grass and sky and especially the animals. He had an encounter with leper. He never tried to abolish poverty, but rather to make it holy. St. Francis was often considered "quirky" because he acted from the heart. Years of poverty and wondering eventually left St. Francis very ill and blind. He died on October 4, 1226 at the age of 45. His prayer is well known throughout the Catholic church in both recite and song.

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;

and 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

And, yes, because it was important to Camille, we stood in the rain to have Otis and Riley blessed.