Dear Brothers and Sisters,
St. Francis is one of the most beloved saints. Most know of St. Francis and his love of animals and nature. He is most often standing in our gardens. The real Francis was that but much more. Today, we look at facts and legends. I am sending this to all members since most are still not gathering. The formation team is hoping that you, as always, will share with your local fraternities. Peace, Dona
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We are all part of a history and a story. We are part of the story of our families, of our religion, of the time in which we live. As Franciscans, we are also part of the Franciscan story. There are traditions, stories, devotions, prayers, and sayings involved with all of these groups. Knowing about them helps us to be part of the family.
But, SOMETIMES what appears to be part of our tradition comes from another source.
Every so often, Formation Friday will highlight one of these important parts of our story.
This week: The Peace Prayer is ATTRIBUTED TO St. Francis, but it was most likely written in France in 1912. It then gained popularity during WWI when Pope Benedict XV had it reprinted in L’Osservatore Romano in 1916.
What makes it seem like it could have been written by St. Francis? Check out the references on the website: https://franciscantradition.org/ (We give you a few, see how many more you can find by using the search tool provided. (FA:ED means Francis of Assisi: Early Documents)
LORD, MAKE ME AN INSTRUMENT OF YOUR PEACE:
[“May the Lord give you peace!” Legend of the Three Companions 26]
[The Assisi Compilation: “He makes peace between the bishop and mayor of Assisi adding a verse to the canticle. 84]
[“2Those people are truly peacemakers who, regardless of what they suffer in this world, preserve peace of spirit and body out of love of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Admonition XV FA:ED, vol. 1, 134]
WHERE THERE IS HATRED, LET ME SOW LOVE;
[…he was not afraid to present himself to the sight of the Sultan of the Saracens…57 The Life of Saint Francis by Thomas of Celano: FA:ED, vol. 1, p. 231]
[1The Lord says: Love your enemies [do good to those who hate you and pray for those who persecute and slander you]. Mt 5:44
2For that person truly loves his enemy who is not hurt by an injury done to him, 3but, because of love of God, is stung by the sin of his soul. 4Let him show him love by his deeds. Admonition IX]
WHERE THERE IS INJURY, PARDON;
[True and Perfect Joy FA:ED, vol. 1, 166
WHERE THERE IS DOUBT, FAITH;
WHERE THERE IS DESPAIR, HOPE;
[See the Prayer Before the Crucifix FA:ED, vol. 1, 40]
WHERE THERE IS DARKNESS, LIGHT;
[See The Major Legend of St. Francis by St. Bonaventure FA:ED, vol. 2, 525 – “His companion said to the holy man: ‘Pray, father, that we may be saved from these threatening dangers!’ Full of confidence, the man of God answered him: ‘God is powerful, {snippet Lk 3:8} if it pleases him in his sweetness, to disperse this darkness and give us the benefit of light.’
WHERE THERE IS SADNESS, JOY.
[“3Where there is poverty with joy, there is neither greed nor avarice. an Admonition XXVII FA:ED, vol. 1, 136]
Now you try looking up some references.
O DIVINE MASTER, GRANT THAT I MAY NOT SO MUCH SEEK
TO BE CONSOLED AS TO CONSOLE,
TO BE UNDERSTOOD AS TO UNDERSTAND,
TO BE LOVED AS TO LOVE.
FOR IT IS IN GIVING THAT WE RECEIVE,
IT IS IN PARDONING THAT WE ARE PARDONED,
AND IT IS IN DYING THAT WE ARE BORN TO ETERNAL LIFE.
AMEN.
Diane F. Menditto
Chair, National Formation Commission
Minister, Our Lady of the Angels Regional Fraternity
