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 – Today we pray to trust in God’s specific plan for each of our lives.

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

Day 4 – Today let us thank God for the beauty of nature and pray for harmony with all creation

Day 5 – Pray to trust in the Holy Spirit even in the midst of troubled times.

Day 6 – Fill us with your gifts and make us always eager to serve you in faith, hope and love.

Day 7 – Please pray for the poor, forgotten, desperate and lonely around the world and in our neighborhoods.

Day 8 – Pray we are guided by a radical trust in God just like St. Francis.

Day 9 – Let us pray for all those suffering with mental illness and their families.

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

Click here for the reflections and novena prayers from 2020.