St. Francis of Assisi
b. 1182 d. 1226
Feast Day:  October 4

St. Francis was born at Assisi in 1182.  After a care free youth, he renounced his paternal wealth and committed himself  to God.  He led a life of evangelical poverty and preached the love of God to all.  He established a rule which a number of his companions followed and which gained approval of the Holy See.   Subsequently, he founded an order of nuns and a society of laypersons who practice penance while living in the world. He died in 1226.

Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.

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; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.