In celebration of the Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi, Deacon, Penitent and Religious Founder, our parish clergy will administer the Blessing of Animals in the Marian Courtyard (between the church and the school) at 7 am and at 6 pm on Friday, October 4th. Some prayers composed by Saint Francis of Assisi follow:
PRAYER BEFORE A CRUCIFIX
Most High, glorious God,
enlighten the darkness of my heart
and give me
true faith,
certain hope,
and perfect charity,
sense and knowledge,
Lord, that I may carry out
Your holy and true command. Amen.
THE ABSORBEAT
May the power of your love, Lord Christ,
fiery and sweet as honey,
so absorb our hearts
as to withdraw them from all that is under heaven.
Grant that we may be ready
to die for love of your love,
as you died for love of our love. Amen
IN PRAISE OF THE MOST BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Hail, holy Lady, most holy Queen,
Mary, Mother of God, ever Virgin;
chosen by the most holy Father in heaven,
consecrated by him, with his most holy beloved Son
and the Holy Spirit, the Comforter:
on you descended and in you still remains
all the fullness of grace and every good.
Hail, his Palace; hail, his Tabernacle;
hail, his Robe, hail, his Handmaid;
hail, his Mother;
and hail, all holy Virtues, who,
by the grace and inspiration of the Holy Spirit,
are poured into the hearts of the faithful.
So that, faithless no longer,
they may be made faithful servants of God
through you. Amen.