The Feast of St. Francis

There are so many things to love about St. Francis of Assisi. As a child, I marveled at the idea that there was a patron saint for animals. All of our dogs wore St. Francis medals on their collars. I understood how St. Francis could be so attracted to God's beautiful creations. I have always been drawn to this saint, so much that I took the name Francis for my confirmation name. I am hoping that we can all strive to follow the beautiful words of the Prayer of Peace, inspired by the works 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;
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. Amen

The feast day for St. Francis of Assisi is October 4th. He is the patron saint of ecology, Italy, animals and merchants. Many parishes around the valley have pet blessing on his feast day. 

For St. Francis coloring pages check out this link:http://printablecolouringpages.co.uk/?s=francis%20of%20assisi

For more about St. Francis visit:http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/default.aspx?id=16