A Saint of Creation and Wonder

On Saint Francis of Assisi and his love of mission, Eucharist, and all of creation

May God bless you with discomfort. Discomfort at easy answers, half truths and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart. Amen

May God bless you with anger. Anger at injustice, oppression and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace. Amen

May God bless you with tears. Tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and turn their pain into joy. Amen

May God bless you with foolishness. Enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done. Amen

And the blessing of God, who creates, redeems and sanctifies, be upon you and all you love and pray for this day, and forever more. Amen

A blessing attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi

A Collect for the feast of the St. Francis

Most high, omnipotent, good Lord, grant your people grace to renounce gladly the vanities of this world; that, following the way of blessed Francis, we may, for love of you, delight in your whole creation with perfectness of joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

It was recently the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi. It’s common to do an animal blessing on or near this day. Francis was known for his love of creation and animals. He is often imagined talking to the animals and preaching to birds. He famously tamed a man-eating wolf by making the sign of the cross and bringing the animal to the people to be loved and fed. He’s known for his love of creation and spoke of brother sun and sister moon. Francis’ gentleness and love are compelling virtues we venerate on his feast day.

However, these aren’t my favorite parts of his Story. In 1219, while a crusade was raging and Christians and Muslims were killing each other, Francis went to Egypt to convert the sultan and spark peace in the land. Francis desired that Christ be known and God’s peace rule on earth as it is in heaven! He saw no man as an enemy but only someone in need of communion with the creator. One of my favorite stories is when his friers found a Koran, and as they spoke their intent to destroy the book, Francis took it, placed it on an alter and said something to the effect, “Honor this as a holy book because it points to a people in search of God.” His heart was to share with all of creation the reality and love of the one true God.

This heart also created in him a love for the Eucharist. Francis was known for his vow of poverty, though he had been very wealthy. After his conversion, Francis donated money and sacred vessels to poor churches, believing they needed the most beautiful instruments to celebrate the Eucharist. Francis said, “Above everything else, I want this most Holy Sacrament to be honored and venerated and reserved in places which are richly ornamented.” I found a great article about this if you want to check it out: Saint Francis, lover of the Eucharist.

There is an endless collection of tales attributed to Saint Francis, but it's his heart for what we might call mission, sharing Christs love with the stranger, the poor, and the oppressed, along with his passion for beauty, specifically regarding the Holy Eucharist that are the most compelling dimensions of his life to me. These are things of Francis that bless me with awe, discomfort, anger, tears, foolishness, and holy mystery, all in the name of Christ.

Here is a few bonus bits…

Saint Francis on the Eucharist

“O wonderful loftiness and stupendous dignity! O sublime humility! O humble sublimity! The Lord of the universe, God and Son of God, so humbles Himself that for our salvation He hides Himself under an ordinary piece of bread! Brothers, look at the humility of God and pour out your hearts before Him!”

“Humble yourselves that you may be exalted by him! Hold back nothing of yourselves for yourselves, that He Who gives Himself totally to you may receive you totally!”

“Are we not moved by piety when the pious Lord puts Himself into our hands and we touch and receive Him daily? Do we refuse to recognize that we must come into His hands?”

And here is the famous, Canticle of the Sun

Most High, all powerful, good Lord,
Yours are the praises, the glory, the honour, and all blessing.

To You alone, Most High, do they belong,
and no man is worthy to mention Your name.

Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures,
especially through my lord Brother Sun,
who brings the day; and you give light through him.
And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendour!
Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars,
in heaven you formed them clear and precious and beautiful.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind,
and through the air, cloudy and serene,
and every kind of weather through which you give sustenance to Your creatures.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water,
which is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire,
through whom you light the night and he is beautiful
and playful and robust and strong.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Mother Earth,
who sustains us and governs us and who produces
varied fruits with coloured flowers and herbs.

Praised be You, my Lord, through those who give pardon for Your love,
and bear infirmity and tribulation.

Blessed are those who endure in peace
for by You, Most High, they shall be crowned.

Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death,
from whom no living man can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin.
Blessed are those who will find Your most holy will,
for the second death shall do them no harm.

Praise and bless my Lord, and give Him thanks
and serve Him with great humility.