St. Francis walked the world like the Pardon of God. I mean that his appearance marked the moment when men could be reconciled not only to God but to nature and, most difficult of all, to themselves.~ G.K. Chesterton
A Franciscan Morning Blessing
Jesus, I offer you this new day because I believe in you, love you, hope all things in you and thank you for your blessings.
I am sorry for having offended you and forgive everyone who has offended me.
Lord, look on me and leave in me peace and courage and your humble wisdom that I may serve others with joy, and be pleasing to you all day.
Amen
Wisdom of St. Francis
Where there is charity and wisdom, there is neither fear nor ignorance.
Where there is patience and humility, there is neither anger nor vexation.
Where there is poverty and joy, there is neither greed nor avarice.
Where there is peace and meditation, there is neither anxiety nor doubt.
St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226)
A Grammar of Gratitude
St. Francis was above all things a great giver; and he cared chiefly for the best kind of giving which is called thanksgiving.
If another great man wrote a grammar of assent, he may well be said to have written a grammar of acceptance; a grammar of gratitude.
He understood down to its very depths the theory of thanks; and its depths are a bottomless abyss…the great and good debt that cannot be paid.
G.K. Chesterton, from St. Francis of Assisi
