October 4, feast of Saint Francis of Assisi

Saint Francis of Assisi , born Giovanni Bernardon in Italy in 1181, was a wealthy man who led a life of debauchery and was destined for a great military career (he took part in the war between Assisi and Perugia, where he was taken prisoner). One night, however, he had a dream in which he heard a voice commanding him to abandon his plans and devote his life to God and prayer. He returned to his native Assisi. St. Francis began his spiritual awakening, and one day, while praying before a crucifix in the chapel of San Damiano, heard a voice asking him to "repair my ruined church". He did so. With his father's money, he left his rich clothes to travel the countryside, repairing ruined chapels and churches. Francis also began to care for the sick, especially lepers. While his radical change of life initially astonished many, it gradually began to attract young people. St. Francis was joined by two bourgeois from Assisi, who, like him, left everything for Christ. One morning in 1208, he heard the Gospel of the sending out of the disciples and decided to follow Christ's command: he began itinerant preaching, barefoot, dressed in a robe and a rope for a belt.  The  faithful joined him, forming the group of Penitents of Assisi. St. Francis set about writing a rule to govern their fledgling community. When the group had twelve members, St. Francis left for Rome to obtain Pope Innocent III's approval for the creation of this new Franciscan order. Although initially skeptical and hesitant, he eventually approved their way of life and authorized the new order to preach penance. The fraternity met with rapid success and the group grew rapidly.

In 1212, St. Francis met Clare Offreduccio, the future St. Clare of Assisi , and together they founded theOrder of Poor Ladies, later to become theOrder of Poor Clares.

St. Francis of Assisi sent his brothers to preach the Word of Christ throughout the world. He himself went to the East, to Damietta in  Egypt, to preach the Good News. When he returned to Italy, his order was divided. He drew up a new rule, approved by Pope Honorius III, before retiring, exhausted, to Mount Alverne. There, he received the stigmata of Christ on the cross and, indeed, the infinite love of the Lord. In 1226, shortly before surrendering his soul to God on October 4, he wrote his "Canticle of Creatures ". 

Saint Francis of Assisi was canonized two years later by Pope Gregory IX. He is celebrated on the day of his ascension to heaven, October 4 . He is remembered for his total surrender to Christ, for his devotion to the least of these, for the creation of the Order of Friars Minor, also known as "the Franciscans", and for his work with the poorest of the poor.the Franciscans", and for celebrating Christmas mass in Greccio in 1223 , with the first crib in history, not to mention his many miracles . In the birthplace of St. Francis, the festivities last ten days and take place throughout the city. Saint John Paul II named him patron saint of ecology  and animals, as well as of Italy and the Cub Scouts. Saint Francis wrote many prayers thatcan be recited on his feast day: "Lord make me an instrument of your peace", the "Morning Prayer ", the "Pater Noster", the prayer before the crucifix of St. Damian and a magnificent prayer to the Virgin Mary.

Prayer of praise by St. Francis of Assisi

" Holy, thrice holy, the Lord God who is, who was and who will come again: praise and glory forever! You are worthy, Lord our God, to receive honor, praise and glory, and to be proclaimed blessed: praise and glory forever! Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to be called strong, wise and powerful God to receive honor and glory, and to be proclaimed blessed: praise and glory forever! Bless the Father and the Son, with the Holy Spirit: praise and glory forever! All the works of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and glory forever! Sing the praises of our God, all you his servants, and you who fear God, small and great: praise and glory forever! Praise the God of glory in heaven and on earth: praise and glory forever! By every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, and by the sea and all that's in it: praise and glory forever! Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: praise and glory forever! As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, for ever and ever. Amen: praise and glory forever! 

" Almighty, most holy, most high and sovereign God, sovereign good, universal good, total good, You who alone are good, may we give You all praise, all glory, all grace, all honor and all blessing; may we always report all good to You alone! Amen. "

Continue your prayer to Saint Francis of Assisi with Hozana!

Thanks to Saint Francis of Assisi, go out and meet others through this beautiful novena!