St. Francis of Assisi

“Desire above all things to have the Spirit of the Lord and its holy activity, and pray always with a pure heart,”
           -St. Francis of Assisi (The Later Rule, Chapter X:8)

St. Francis (1182–1226) was a saint for all times, a saint for all people.

He preached peace in an era when life without war was unthinkable. He embraced the poor while others treated them with scorn. And he allied himself with nature centuries before humanity understood its connection to every living thing.

In his brief life of 44 years, Francis had a seismic impact on the Church – an impact we feel today, 800 years after his death. In life he was Il Poverello, “The Little Poor Man”. In death he became one of the most powerful influences for good that the world has ever seen.

Francis is the founder of the Order of Friars Minor, the Franciscan brotherhood to which we belong. Our rule, as was his, is “To follow the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ and to walk in his footsteps.”

His Feast day is October 4 and he is the patron saint of animals, merchants, ecology and Italy.

Click the link for each day.

Day 1 – As you remember your intentions to the Lord, please pray for all those around the world who are also praying this novena.

Day 2 – Please pray for the poor, forgotten, desperate and lonely around the world and in our neighborhoods.

Day 3 – Today let us pray for all those suffering from broken relationships and family struggles.

Day 4 – Please pray that God’s light shines within each of us and we radiate that light to others.

Day 5 – Let us pray today for our youth to be safe, loved and to know God.

Day 6 – Let us pray for all those suffering with mental illness and their families.

Day 7 – Today we pray for Pope Francis and all our spiritual leaders.

Day 8 – Pray that we will trust in God’s voice and promises even when it is not convenient for us.

Day 9 – Pray for those who are dying and those grieving the loss of a loved one.

The Canticle of the Creatures – St. Francis’ great poem praising God.

Click here for the reflections and novena prayers from 2021.