Franciscan Prayers

St. Francis’ Prayer Before the Crucifix

All highest glorious God, cast your light into the darkness of my heart.
Give me right faith, firm hope, perfect charity and profound humility with wisdom and perception, O Lord, so that I may do what is truly your holy will. Amen.

Prayer of Peace

(Not written by Saint Francis, but associated with his way of life.)

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;
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 the Sun

All praise be Thine O Lord most high, the Heavens Thy might and grace proclaim! Thou rule supreme over sea and sky, no tongue is fit to lisp Thy name. When Brother Sun his gifts to render leads forth the day in fiery splendor, Thine image of his radiance born, enchants my soul each rising morn!

All praise be Thine from Sister Moon, from every star that sails the night; from Brother Wind the sea man’s boon, from stormy cloud and well-kin bright. They hear Thy voice in glad obeisance; they serve Thine own in circling seasons, and grant each loving soul her fill the minions of Thy bounteous will!

All praise be Thine from Sister Spring, the humble chaste and precious tide; she sends in floods that dance and sing, her gentle blessings far and wide. To Thee be praise from Brother Fire, night’s hordes he bids in haste retire, and earth’s alloy turns firm and bold in Life and Death to precious gold!

All praise be Thine from Mother Earth, she feeds her own with loving care, against hunger’s pangs and frost and dearth with luscious fruit and harvest fair. That men may from her yearly treasure reap life and health and strength and pleasure, and mind and heart find wealth and weal in flower and herb that joy and heal!

Thou, too, give praise, forgiving heart, with Mercy sweet and Patience crowned! O Blessed who in Peace depart to realms where Love and Joy abound. The Sister Death brings Life’s fruition no shadow mars the happy vision, nor sin nor fear and rue can blight, the soul that walks in Love and Light!

Blessing of Brother Leo

May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May He turn His face to you and be gracious to you.
May the Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace.
May the Lord bless you.

Prayer of Praise

Thou art the Holy Lord God; Thou art God of gods who alone dost marvelous things;
Thou art holy, Father, King of heaven and earth.
Thou art Three in One and One in Three, Lord God of gods.
Thou art Good, all Good, Highest Good, Lord God Living and True.
Thou art Love, Charity, Thou art Wisdom, Thou art Humility.
Thou art patience. Thou art Fortitude and Prudence; Thou are Security;
Thou art Quiet, Thou art Joy and Gladness; Thou art Justice and Temperance.
Thou art all our Riches and Plenty; Thou art our Protector; Thou art our Guide and Defender.
Thou art Beauty. Thou art Gentleness. Thou art our Refuge and Strength.
Thou art our Faith, our Hope and our Charity; Thou art great Sweetness to us.
Thou art our Eternal Life, Infinite Goodness, Great and Wonderful Lord,
God Almighty; Loving and Merciful Savior.

 A Salutation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Hail, O Lady, Holy Queen,
Mary, holy Mother of God,
Who are the Virgin made Church,
chosen by the most Holy Father in heaven
whom he consecrated with His most holy beloved Son
and with the Holy Spirit the Paraclete,
in whom there was and is
all fullness of grace and every good.
Hail His Palace!
Hail His Tabernacle!
Hail His Dwelling!
Hail His Robe!
Hail His Servant!
Hail His Mother!
And hail all You holy virtues
which are poured into the hearts of the faithful
through the grace and enlightenment of the Holy Spirit,
that from being unbelievers,
You may make them faithful to God.

We Adore You, O Christ

We adore You, Most Holy Lord Jesus Christ,
here and in all Your churches throughout the world
and we bless You because by Your Holy Cross
You have redeemed the world.