Signs of the Times  

   St. Francis, the son of a merchant of Assisi was born in that city in 1182.  Chosen by God to be a living manifestation to the world of Christ's poor and suffering life on earth, he was early inspired with a high esteem and burning love of poverty and humiliation.  The thought of the Man of sorrows, Who had nowhere to lay his head, filled him with holy envy of the poor, and constrained him to renouce the wealth and worldy station which he abhorred.  The scorn and hard usage which he met with from his father and townsmen when he appeared among them in the garb of poverty were delightful to him.  But, divine love burned in him too mightily not to kindle like desires in other hearts.  Many joined themselves to him and were constituted by Pope Innocent III into a religious oder, which spread rapidly throughout Christendom.
     St. Francis, after visiting the East in the vain quest of martyrdom, spent his life like his Divine Master--now in preaching to the multitudes now amidst desert solitudes in fasting and contemplation.  During one of these retreats he received on his hands, feet, and side the print of the five bleeding wounds of Jesus.  With the cry, "Welcome, sister Death," he passed to the glory of his God, October 4, 1226.

Reflection: -- "My God and my all," St. Francis' constant prayer, explains both his poverty and his wealth.



                                                   PRAYER OF ST. FRANCIS


   Lord, make me an instrument of Thy 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.