Prayer and Worship
PRAYER 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. |
CANTICLE OF CREATION
Most high, all-powerful, all good, Lord! All praise is yours, all glory, all honour and all blessing. To you, alone, Most High, do they belong. No person is worthy to mention your name. All praise be yours, My Lord, through all your creation, And especially my lord Brother Sun, Who brings the day; and light you give us through him. How beautiful is he, how radiant in all his splendour! Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness. All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Moon and Stars; In the heavens you have made them bright and precious and beautiful All praise be yours, my Lord through Brothers Wind and Air, Fair and stormy, all the weather’s moods, By which you cherish all your creatures. All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Water, So useful, humble, precious and pure. All praise be yours, my Lord, through Brother Fire, Through whom you light up the night. How beautiful is he, how playful, full of power and strength. All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister,Mother Earth, Who feeds us and governs us and who produces Varied fruits with coloured flowers and herbs. All praise be yours, my Lord, through those who grant pardon, For love of you; through those who endure sickness and trial. Blessed are those who endure in peace for you, Most High, they will be crowned. Be praised, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whose embrace no living person can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Happy those she finds doing your most holy will. The second death can do no harm to them. Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks, and serve him with great humility. |