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Prayers of St. Francis

St. Francis is known as the man who was most like Christ, “the first after the only one”, the universal brother, a man of peace and reconciliation, the Poverello, the lover of the poor, the troubadour of creation. It is true.

Francis of Assisi, however, was first and foremost a mystic, a real contemplative, enamoured with the poor and crucified Christ.

Francis was not only a man who prayed, but, as his biographer Thomas of Celano says, he was “a man become prayer”.

The presence of God transfigured him until He made him “another Christ”.

I. THE PRAYER BEFORE THE CRUCIFIX AT SAN DAMIANO

Most High, glorious God,
enlighten the darkness of my heart
and give me true faith, certain hope and perfect charity,
sense and knowledge, Lord,
that I may carry out Your holy and true command.

II. A SALUTATION OF THE VIRTUES

Hail, Queen Wisdom!
May the Lord protect You,
with Your Sister, holy pure Simplicity!
Lady holy Poverty,
may the Lord protect You,
with Your Sister, holy Humility!
Lady holy Charity,
may the Lord protect You,
with Your Sister, holy Obedience.
Most holy Virtues,
may the Lord protect all of You
from Whom You come and proceed…

III. A SALUTATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Mary, holy Mother of God,
Who are the Virgin made Church,
chosen by the most Holy Father in heaven
whom he consecrated with His most holy beloved Son
and with the Holy Spirit the Paraclete,
in whom there was and is
all fullness of grace and every good.
Hail His Palace!
Hail His Tabernacle!
Hail His Dwelling!
Hail His Robe!
Hail His Servant!
Hail His Mother!
And hail all You holy virtues
which are poured into the hearts of the faithful
through the grace and
enlightenment of the Holy Spirit,
that from being unbelievers,
You may make them faithful to God.

IV. THE PRAISES OF GOD AND THE BLESSING

Who does wonderful things.
You are strong. You are great. You are the most high.
You are the almighty king. You holy Father,
King of heaven and earth.
You are three and one, the Lord God of gods;
You are the good, all good, the highest good,
Lord God living and true…

V. THE CANTICLE OF CREATURES

Most High, all-powerful, good Lord,
Yours are the praises, the glory,
and the honour and all blessing.
To You alone, Most High, do they belong
and no human is worthy
to mention Your name.
Praised be you, my Lord,
with all Your creatures,
especially Sir Brother Sun,
who is the day,
and through whom You give us light.
And he is beautiful
and radiant with great splendour;
and bears a likeness of You, Most High one…

VI. THE PRAISES TO BE SAID AT ALL THE HOURS

…All-powerful, most holy,
most high, supreme God:
all good, supreme good, totally good,
You Who alone are good,
may we give You all praise,
all glory, all thanks,
all honour, all blessing, and all good.
So be it! So be it!
Amen.

VII. EXHORTATION TO THE PRAISE OF GOD

…Let every spirit praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord because He is good;
all you who read this, bless the Lord.
All you creatures, bless the Lord.
All you birds of heaven, praise the Lord.
All you children, praise the Lord.
Young men and virgins, praise the Lord.
Worthy is the Lamb Who was slain
to receive praise, glory, and honour.
Blessed be the Holy Trinity and Undivided Unity.
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle…

VIII. A PRAYER INSPIRED BY THE OUR FATHER

O Our Father most holy:
Our Creator, Redeemer, Consoler, and Saviour:
…Your kingdom come: That You may rule in us through Your grace and enable us to come to Your kingdom where there is clear vision of You, perfect love of You, blessed companionship with You, eternal enjoyment of You….

IX. WE ADORE YOU

We adore You, Lord Jesus Christ,
in all Your churches throughout the world
and we bless You because
by Your holy cross
You have redeemed the world.

X. THE OFFICE OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD

…Psalm VII: Vespers
All you nations clap your hands * shout to God with a voice of gladness. For the Lord, the Most High * the Awesome, is the Great King over all the earth. For the Most Holy Father of heaven, our King before all ages * sent His Beloved Son from on high+ and has brought salvation in the midst of the earth. Let the heavens rejoice and the earth exult* let the sea and all that is in it be moved+ let the fields and all that is in them be glad. Sing a new song to Him * Sing to the Lord all the earth. Because the Lord is great and highly to be praised * awesome beyond all gods. Give to the Lord, you families of nations,† Give to the Lord glory and honour * Give to the Lord the glory due His name. Take up your bodies and carry His holy cross * and follow His most holy commands even to the end. Let the whole earth tremble before His face * tell among the nations that the Lord has ruled from a tree. He ascended into heaven† and is seated at the right hand of the most holy Father in heaven * O God, be exalted above the heavens+ and above all the earth be your glory. We know that He is coming* that He will come to judge justice…

XI. PRAYER TO THE TRINITY

Fear and honour,
praise and bless,
give thanks and adore
the Lord God Almighty in Trinity and in Unity,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
the Creator of all.
(From the Rnb XXI, 2)

XII. THE INVITATION TO RESTORE ALL GOODS TO THE LORD

Let us refer all good
to the Lord, God Almighty and Most High,
acknowledge that every good is His,
and thank Him,
from Whom all good comes,
for everything.
May He,
The Almighty and Most High,
The only true God,
Have, be given, and receive
All honour and respect,
All praise and blessing,
All thanks and glory,
To Whom all good belongs,
He Who alone is good.

XIII. PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING

…Wherever we are, in every place, at every hour, at every time of the day, every day and continually, let all of us truly and humbly believe, hold in our heart and love, honour, adore, serve, praise and bless, glorify and exalt, magnify and give thanks to the Most High and Supreme Eternal God Trinity and Unity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Creator of all, Saviour of all Who believe and hope in Him, and love Him, Who, without beginning and end, is unchangeable, invisible, indescribable, ineffable, incomprehensible, unfathomable, blessed, praiseworthy, glorious, exalted, sublime, most high, gentle, lovable, delightful, and totally desirable above all else for ever.

XIV. BLESSED IS HE WHO LOVES THE LORD

In the Name of the Lord! All those who love the Lord with their whole heart, with their whole soul and mind, with their whole strength and love their neighbours as themselves, who hate their bodies with their vices and sins, who receive the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, and who produce worthy fruits of penance. O how happy and blessed are these men and women while they do such things and persevere in doing them, because the Spirit of the Lord will rest upon them and make Its home and dwelling place among them, and they are children of the heavenly Father Whose works they do, and they are spouses, brothers, and mothers of our Lord Jesus Christ…

XV. BLESSING TO BROTHER LEO

May the Lord
bless you and keep you.
May He show His face to you
and be merciful to you.
May He turn His countenance to you
and give you peace.