Yesterday was the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi. I have always loved this prayer and thought though I am a day late, that we all could use some of this peace which St. Francis so fervently prayer for.
I remember when I was teaching at Sacred Heart School that on October 4, Father Vaughan would encourage the students to come in the morning with their pets. . . cats, dogs, birds, bearded dragons, rabbits and even fish for an early morning blessing. Afterward, the pets went home. It was a day of joyful faith for the children and adults alike. St Francis was the patron saint of animals and the environment. Pope John Paul II named St. Francis the “Saint of Ecology!”
Your thoughts?
TalesAlongTheWay 
I love the human essence and meaning of this prayer. I love a lot of prayers.
I remember my Dad’s sister died, my Aunt died say 8 years ago, not sudden, slow. She was a huge happy memory of my childhood. She has 4 Daughters, my cousins. During the ceremony my Aunt, who worked at an ‘Old Folks Home’ as they are called here. Basically a place where a lone person who either has no family or none that care where 90 year old woman she loved to help lived.
Cancer took her.During the ceremony her work friend said a prayer I think I had maybe heard as a kid but forgot. Her friend was in your face, forceful and loud, passionate about what she was to say about her best mate. My Aunt was very religious and her faith helped us all through the bad times. Her friend said this….
I was 2nd row behind my cousins and, looking back it was just a reaction, as when she read it out it hit me like a brick in the face. I howled with sadness. That prayer I love. I almost cry not thinking of that day, but in a way this prayer keeps her alive for me. Just me, I can’t speak for the rest of the family. But at the time it took me to my knees. It made sense to me, all that matters is it made sense, it connected with me.
Many say I am anti-Religious or Anti-Christian, but nothing could be further from the truth. I am confused in a way with just remembering these poems, as to the meaning of the words and the actions of the people who say it in whatever God they hold in their heart’s name. They are amazing/sad/helpful/gracious, as you sent me this I will answer in the only way I can Anne. Deep down a voice is telling me you want a hateful answer to say again “Shaun why the anger” But I ask Anne you read this and think I am speaking when we Skype. Calm, happy and just talking to a friend.
Child’s Prayer. My Mum’s Mum, My Gran, she passed of Cancer too. When we were kids, all 40 of us, lol. 9 Brothers and Sister my Mum had. 10 or 20 of us would stay most weekends as all our Mum’s and Dad’s were the age I am now, out partying. She used to say this and we would say it back every night we stayed. I remember her as a cold angry old woman, but as we grow as people we understand why she may have been unhappy through stories from family.
Anne you know I can’t see these prays as anything other than words that are so loving and caring, my mind can only see them as helpful words when people need a voice to tell them it is ok.
I know people who would disagree with me, but we can talk about it.
Today especially I reflected on something my 70 year old Dad says often “I am 70 years old and I learn to be a better person ever day” I guess I try to hard to be that person it hurts me that I know I can never be it in the way I want it…
But when the PC is off and I am living, I am that guy, that person that learns every day. I don’t know in what context you will read this. I hope I am not throwing coal on a fire here. These are the only examples of these prayers my mind can allow me to have. So we share one thing, and that is a stubborn mind. I don’t think that can be denied…Should we be honest..
Hope the food pantry goes well Monday x
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Shaun, I thank you for taking the time and effort to share all this. I love the prayer/poems you shared as well as the St Francis one. They are all about people, I think and about a relationship with God. Not sure if you know about Francis who as a young man had no time for God or church. . . a wild young man who became a giant in the church. I am sure if you want to know more you will research. Also Augustine has a similar story. We are all on a journey and each is a spiritual being so we are on a spiritual journey at different places and times.
Dawn was very sweet when we interacted for a very few minutes.
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My patron saint, I think this is why I love animals so much.
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Lovely!
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