🐦 Prayer to St. Francis
The prayer to St. Francis honors the beloved saint known for his love of poverty, peace, and all of God's creation. St. Francis of Assisi was a medieval Italian friar who founded the Franciscan Order and is remembered for his deep love for animals, nature, and the poor. This prayer seeks his intercession for peace and care for creation.
Prayer to St. Francis
Traditional Prayer
O glorious St. Francis,
who during your whole life here on earth
was inflamed with the love of God and of your neighbor,
I humbly pray you to obtain for me
the same graces and virtues.
Help me to love God with all my heart
and to love my neighbor as myself.
Obtain for me, I beseech you,
the grace to be patient in suffering,
humble in prosperity,
and to have a perfect resignation to the will of God.
Pray for me, St. Francis,
that I may be worthy of the promises of Christ.
Amen.
Short Prayer
St. Francis,
help me to love God and all His creation
as you did.
Teach me to be poor in spirit
and to bring peace wherever I go.
Amen.
Prayer for Animals
O God,
who made all living creatures,
you called St. Francis to serve you
with a love that embraced all creation.
Grant that, following his example,
we may treat all animals with kindness
and respect for your glory.
Amen.
When to Pray to St. Francis
- • On October 4th - Feast day of St. Francis
- • On Wednesdays - Traditional day to honor St. Francis
- • For animals - When praying for pets or animal welfare
- • For peace - When seeking peace in relationships or world
- • For the environment - When praying for care of creation
- • For the poor - When praying for the poor and needy
- • For simplicity - When seeking a simpler way of life
- • For healing - When praying for physical or spiritual healing
- • For ecology - When praying for environmental protection
- • Daily devotion - As a regular prayer to St. Francis
History and Significance
Founder of Franciscans
St. Francis founded the Franciscan Order, which continues to serve the poor and preach the Gospel throughout the world today.
Patron of Animals
St. Francis is known for his love of animals and is often depicted preaching to birds and taming the wolf of Gubbio.
Stigmata
St. Francis received the stigmata - the wounds of Christ - making him the first recorded person to receive this mystical gift.
Peace Prayer
St. Francis is credited with the famous "Prayer of St. Francis" which begins "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace."
St. Francis's Titles and Patronages
- • Patron of Animals - Protector of all animals and pets
- • Patron of Ecology - Protector of the environment
- • Patron of Italy - One of the patron saints of Italy
- • Patron of Merchants - Helper of those in business
- • Patron of the Poor - Protector of the poor and needy
- • Patron of Peace - Advocate for peace and reconciliation
- • Founder of Franciscans - Founder of the Franciscan Order
- • Seraphic Saint - Known for his angelic purity
The Prayer of St. Francis
Lord, Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace
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.