St Francis of Assisi

Patronage: Merchants, animals, ecologists; against dying alone

St Francis of Assisi was born at Assisi in Italy in 1182. During his youth, he received a call from Christ to leave his worldly life, and subsequently underwent a transformation to become an indomitable follower of Jesus.

St Francis of Assisi founded the Franciscan Order in 1209. It is today spread worldwide having several provinces in a number of countries including India.

He was a great lover of nature and animals, and found God's creativity in nature's beauty. Fittingly, he is the patron saint of animals, ecology, and ecologists.

St Francis of Assisi died in the year 1226 at Assisi and was canonized in 1228.

Prayer of St Francis of Assisi (Prayer of Peace)

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow your love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light; and
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, and
It is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

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