St. Francis of Assisi, Deacon, Religious, Founder of the Three Orders (Solemnity)

St Francis in Prayer (copia) by Caravaggio (1610). Image via Wikimedia Commons.

Another heavy-hitter on the Liturgical Calendar, the Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi. Don’t be surprised to see plenty of pets hanging around your parish. Because of Saint Francis’ patronage of animals, many parishes offer to bestow priestly blessings on them. This is not because animals have immortal souls but rather that God created all life and some are more closely connected to us humans than others.

We can see how, for example, the blessing of a seeing-eye dog would be an important act for a faithful blind Catholic. The animal serves us and  with a priestly blessing they essentially become a sacramental – like a blessed Rosary – except this being actively interacts and aid us.

In this light, Father Frank Pavone, Priests for Life and Gospel of Life Ministries, was offering to bless pets “from afar” via Twitter. You can find him @frfrankpavone.

To make things very clear (you’ll see why below), Saint Francis was not a some kind of liberal, hippie, tree-hugger (no offense) like we think of today. He was a very devout Catholic who gave his life to the Lord and certainly followed God’s Will all the way to perfection.

What Saint Francis had and did was a zeal and love for that led him to express it in a theology that praised the Lord for all of His creations and their interdependence. Certainly, He praised God and sought that all men, as stewards of the earth and each other, do right by the Lord in faith, hope and love.

Read the Bible at Mass (Douay-Rheims w/ Haydock Commentary via Veritas Bible)

• First Reading: Sirach 50:1, 3-4, 6-7
• Responsorial: Psalm 16 [15]:1-2, 5, 7-8, 11
• Second Reading: Galatians 6:14-18
• Gospel: Matthew 11:25-30

Reflections from the Saints

“Sanctify yourself and you will sanctify society.”

– St. Francis of Assisi

Canticle of the Sun

As translated by Bill Barrett from the Umbrian text of the Assisi codex.

Most high, all powerful, all good Lord! All praise is yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing. To you, alone, Most High, do they belong. No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your name.

Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures, especially through my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day; and you give light through him. And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor! Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.

Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars; in the heavens you have made them, precious and beautiful.

Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air, and clouds and storms, and all the weather, through which you give your creatures sustenance.

Be praised, My Lord, through Sister Water; she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.

Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you brighten the night. He is beautiful and cheerful, and powerful and strong.

Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth, who feeds us and rules us, and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.

Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of you; through those who endure sickness and trial. Happy those who endure in peace, for by you, Most High, they will be crowned.

Be praised, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whose embrace no living person can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Happy those she finds doing your most holy will. The second death can do no harm to them.

Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks, and serve him with great humility. Amen.

via Francis of Assisi – Wikiquotes

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St. Francis of Assisi

Francis Bernardone was born in 1181 at Assisi, Umbria, Italy. The son of a wealthy cloth merchant, he lived a lavish and irresponsible life. At the age of twenty, he went to war against Perugia, but was captured and imprisoned. During his imprisonment he experienced a vision from Christ and changed his life completely. He left all his possessions and embraced complete poverty, taking the Gospel as his rule of life. [His father became extremely displeased at his action, and disinherited him.]

He wore ragged old clothes, begged for food and preached peace. He began to attract followers, and in 1209 with the papal blessing he founded the Friars Minor (Franciscans), [in ten years numbered five thousand brothers. His followers were called Friars Minor because they were to consider themselves as the least among religious.] Then in 1212 with St. Clare of Assisi he founded the foundation of the Order of “Poor Ladies,” now known as the “Poor Clares.” He also founded the “Third Order of Penance” (the Third Order) which included lay people. [Out of humility Francis never accepted the priesthood but remained a deacon all his life. He had a great love for God’s creatures and called them his brothers and sisters.]

[His ardent love of God merited for him the name of Seraphic.] He was the first person (recorded) to receive the stigmata (the five wounds of Christ) in 1224. He died on October 4, 1226 at Portiuncula, Italy. He was canonized by Gregory IX less than two years later.

Patron: against fire; animals; Catholic Action; dying alone; ecology; environment; families; fire; lacemakers; merchants; peace; zoos; Italy; Assisi, Italy; Colorado; Sante Fe, New Mexico; archdiocese of San Francisco, California; archdiocese of Denver, Colorado; archdiocese of Sante Fe, New Mexico; diocese of Salina, Kansas.

Symbols: birds and animals; bag of gold and rich raiment at his feet; winged crucifix with five rays; stigmata; crown of thorns; lighted lamp; fiery chariot; birds; deer; fish; skull; wolf; fire.

Things to Do:

• Pray the Canticle of the Sun, which was written by St. Francis.
• For more reading, see the selections from the Catholic Culture Library. This page from the Franciscan Archives contains links about St. Francis of Assisi, including biographies, articles, writings, Orders & Societies, liturgical texts and art.
• Many parishes have a Blessing of animals or pets on this day. See the Prayers column for other alternatives. St. Francis loved all of God’s creatures. Find the stories of the Wolf of Gubbio, the Sermon to the Birds, his Canticle of Creatures to see some illustrations of his honoring God’s creation.
• St. Francis was influential on our present-day Christmas crib or creche. Find out more about this historical event. See the articles in our Activities top bar.
• Although St. Francis is one of the most popular saints of the Church, and his feast is a huge celebration in Assisi, there are no particular foods attached to that festival. Tradition has passed on that on his deathbed he requested Frangipane cream or Moastaccioli (almond biscotti). Fire is a symbol of St. Francis, first of all because his heart was on fire with love of God, but there are other stories in Little Flowers of St. Francis that deal with fire, particularly when he prayed, the surrounding areas would become so bright that people thought the areas were on fire. So a flaming dessert or wine would be an appropriate ending of a wonderful feast. One could also try some Umbrian style recipes, or just have “Italian night” at home, even just simple spaghetti or other pasta and sauces.
• Learn more about the Franciscan order, how it is has changed from Francis’ original “charter”. The Catholic Encyclopedia has a wonderful entry on St. Francis, including his Rule. And from the Catholic Culture Library you can read a detailed summary of the life of St. Francis and his founding of the Order of Friars Minor.
• What does poverty in our state of life mean? How can I follow the Gospels like Francis?
• Learn more about geography and history of the Umbria area, and how much Francis has impacted that area.
• Study art and photos of Francis. Find out more about the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi. Although the earthquake in 1997 damaged the basilica, it reopened in 1999.
• This is an excellent Biography of St. Francis that includes wonderful material about Assisi and the surrounding areas.
• Read Little Flowers of St. Francis by Brother Ugolino online or purchase a copy. This is a collection of many stories and legends of the life of St. Francis. Of particular note is his Sermon to the Birds,
  

  “My little sisters the birds, ye owe much to God, your Creator, and ye ought to sing his praise at all times and in all places, because he has given you liberty to fly about into all places; and though ye neither spin nor sew, he has given you a twofold and a threefold clothing for yourselves and for your offspring. Two of all your species he sent into the Ark with Noah that you might not be lost to the world; besides which, he feeds you, though ye neither sow nor reap. He has given you fountains and rivers to quench your thirst, mountains and valleys in which to take refuge, and trees in which to build your nests; so that your Creator loves you much, having thus favoured you with such bounties. Beware, my little sisters, of the sin of ingratitude, and study always to give praise to God.”

via Catholic Culture | Liturgical Year