About St. Francis of Assisi

New Advent, Catholic Online, and EWTN provide great articles about the very first Franciscan.

And two of his most famous prayers:

++++++++++

O Lord, make me an instrument of Thy Peace!
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is discord, harmony;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light, and
Where there is sorrow, joy.
Oh 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.

++++++++++

Most high, all powerful, all good Lord! All praise is yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing. To you, alone, Most High, do they belong. No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your name.

Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures, especially through my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day; and you give light through him. And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor! Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.

Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars; in the heavens you have made them, precious and beautiful.

Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air, and clouds and storms, and all the weather, through which you give your creatures sustenance.

Be praised, My Lord, through Sister Water; she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.

Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you brighten the night. He is beautiful and cheerful, and powerful and strong.

Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth, who feeds us and rules us, and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.

Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of you; through those who endure sickness and trial. Happy those who endure in peace, for by 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.

++++++++++

(UPDATE: 10/4/2013): Here is an article stating the first prayer may not be attributed to him.

**********

Originally posted 10/4/2006.
Re-posted 10/4/2011.
Re-posted 10/3/2012.
Re-posted 10/4/2013.

Re-posted 10/4/2017.

Re-posted 10/4/2021.

Re-posted 10/4/2022.

Re-posted 10/4/2023.

Re-posted 10/4/2024.

Re-posted 10/4/2025.

DR Squared: Twenty-Seventh Sunday In Ordinary Time (Year A)

First Reading:  Isaiah 5:1-7

I will sing to my beloved the canticle of my cousin concerning his vineyard. My beloved had a vineyard on a hill in a fruitful place. And he fenced it in, and picked the stones out of it, and planted it with the choicest vines, and built a tower in the midst thereof, and set up a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it broutht forth wild grapes. And now, O ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and ye men of Juda, judge between me and my vineyard. What is there that I ought to do more to my vineyard, that I have not done to it? And now I will shew you what I will do to my vineyard. I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be wasted: I will break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down. And I will make it desolate: it shall not be pruned, and it shall not be digged: but briers and thorns shall come up: and I will command the clouds to rain no rain upon it. For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel: and the man of Juda, his pleasant plant: and I looked that he should do judgment, and behold iniquity: and do justice, and behold a cry.

Responsorial Psalm:  Isaiah 5:7a; V. Psalm 80 (79):9, 12, 13-14, 15-16, 19-20

R.  For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel:

V.  Thou hast brought a vineyard out of Egypt:

     thou hast cast out the Gentiles and planted it.

     It stretched forth its branches unto the sea,

     and its boughs unto the river.

V.  Why hast thou broken down the hedge thereof,

     so that all they who pass by the way do pluck it?

     The boar out of the wood hath laid it waste:

     and a singular wild beast hath devoured it.

V.  Turn again, O God of hosts,

     look down from heaven, and see,

     and visit this vineyard:

     And perfect the same which thy right hand hath planted:

     and upon the son of man whom thou hast confirmed for thyself.

V.  And we depart not from thee,

     thou shalt quicken us: and we will call upon thy name.

     O Lord God of hosts, convert us:

     and shew thy face, and we shall be saved.

Second Reading:  Philippians 4:6-9

Be nothing solicitous; but in every thing, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. For the rest, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever modest, whatsoever just, whatsoever holy, whatsoever lovely, whatsoever of good fame, if there be any virtue, if any praise of discipline, think on these things. The things which you have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, these do ye, and the God of peace shall be with you.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 21:33-43

Hear ye another parable. There was a man an householder, who planted a vineyard, and made a hedge round about it, and dug in it a press, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen; and went into a strange country. And when the time of the fruits drew nigh, he sent his servants to the husbandmen that they might receive the fruits thereof. And the husbandmen laying hands on his servants, beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants more than the former; and they did to them in like manner. And last of all he sent to them his son, saying: They will reverence my son. But the husbandmen seeing the son, said among themselves: This is the heir: come, let us kill him, and we shall have his inheritance. And taking him, they cast him forth out of the vineyard, and killed him. When therefore the lord of the vineyard shall come, what will he do to those husbandmen? They say to him: He will bring those evil men to an evil end; and will let out his vineyard to other husbandmen, that shall render him the fruit in due season. Jesus saith to them: Have you never read in the Scriptures: The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? By the Lord this has been done; and it is wonderful in our eyes. Therefore I say to you, that the kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and shall be given to a nation yielding the fruits thereof. 

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Saturday Of The Twenty-Sixth Week In Ordinary Time (Year II)

First Reading:  Job 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17 (DR--1-3, 5-6, 12-16)

Then Job answered the Lord, and said:  I know that thou canst do all things, and no thought is hid from thee. Who is this that hideth counsel without knowledge? Therefore I have spoken unwisely, and things that above measure exceeded my knowledge. With the hearing of the ear, I have heard thee, but now my eye seeth thee. Therefore I reprehend myself, and do penance in dust and ashes. And the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning. And he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses. And he had seven sons, and three daughters. And he called the names of one Dies, and the name of the second Cassia, and the name of the third Cornustibil. And there were not found in all the earth women so beautiful as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren. And Job lived after these things, a hundred and forty years, and he saw his children, and his children's children, unto the fourth generation, and he died an old man, and full of days.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 119 (118):135a; V. 66, 71, 75, 91, 125, 130

R.  Make thy face to shine upon thy servant:

V.  Teach me goodness and discipline and knowledge;

     for I have believed thy commandments.

V.  It is good for me that thou hast humbled me,

     that I may learn thy justifications.

V.  I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are equity:

     and in thy truth thou hast humbled me.

V.  By thy ordinance the day goeth on:

     for all things serve thee.

V.  I am thy servant: give me understanding

     that I may know thy testimonies.

V.  The declaration of thy words giveth light:

     and giveth understanding to little ones.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 10:17-24

And the seventy-two returned with joy, saying: Lord, the devils also are subject to us in thy name. And he said to them: I saw Satan like lightning falling from heaven. Behold, I have given you power to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and upon all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall hurt you. But yet rejoice not in this, that spirits are subject unto you; but rejoice in this, that your names are written in heaven. In that same hour, he rejoiced in the Holy Ghost, and said: I confess to thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hidden these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to little ones. Yea, Father, for so it hath seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered to me by my Father; and no one knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and to whom the Son will reveal him. And turning to his disciples, he said: Blessed are the eyes that see the things which you see. For I say to you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see the things that you see, and have not seen them; and to hear the things that you hear, and have not heard them.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Memorial Of The Guardian Angels

First Reading:  Exodus 23:20-23

Behold I will send my angel, who shall go before thee, and keep thee in thy journey, and bring thee into the place that I have prepared. Take notice of him, and hear his voice, and do not think him one to be contemned: for he will not forgive when thou hast sinned, and my name is in him. But if thou wilt hear his voice, and do all that I speak, I will be an enemy to thy enemies, and will afflict them that afflict thee. And my angel shall go before thee, and shall bring thee in unto the Amorrhite, and the Hethite, and the Pherezite, and the Chanaanite, and the Hevite, and the Jebusite, whom I will destroy.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 91 (90):11; V. 1-2, 3-4ab, 4c-6, 10-11

R.  For he hath given his angels charge over thee; to keep thee in all thy ways.

V.  He that dwelleth in the aid of the most High,

     shall abide under the protection of the God of Jacob.

     He shall say to the Lord: Thou art my protector, and my refuge:

     my God, in him will I trust.

V.  For he hath delivered me from the snare of the hunters:

     and from the sharp word.

     He will overshadow thee with his shoulders:

     and under his wings thou shalt trust.

V.  His truth shall compass thee with a shield:

     thou shalt not be afraid of the terror of the night.

     Of the arrow that flieth in the day,

     of the business that walketh about in the dark:

     of invasion, or of the noonday devil.

V.  There shall no evil come to thee:

     nor shall the scourge come near thy dwelling.

     For he hath given his angels charge over thee;

     to keep thee in all thy ways. 

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 18:1-5, 10

At that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Who thinkest thou is the greater in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus calling unto him a little child, set him in the midst of them, And said: Amen I say to you, unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven. And he that shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me. See that you despise not one of these little ones: for I say to you, that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

++++++++++

Originally posted 10/2/2025.

DR Squared: Friday Of The Twenty-Sixth Week In Ordinary Time (Year II)

First Reading:  Job 38:1, 12-21; 42:3-5  (DR--38:1, 12-21; 42:1, 3-5)

Then the Lord answered Job out of a whirlwind, and said:  Didst thou since thy birth command the morning, and shew the dawning of the day its place? And didst thou hold the extremities of the earth shaking them, and hast thou shaken the ungodly out of it? The seal shall be restored as clay, and shall stand as a garment:  From the wicked their light shall be taken away, and the high arm shall be broken?  Hast thou entered into the depths of the sea, and walked in the lowest parts of the deep? Have the gates of death been opened to thee, and hast thou seen the darksome doors? Hast thou considered the breadth of the earth? tell me, if thou knowest all things? Where is the way where light dwelleth, and where is the place of darkness: That thou mayst bring every thing to its own bounds, and understand the paths of the house thereof. Didst thou know then that thou shouldst be born? and didst thou know the number of thy days?  Then Job answered the Lord, and said:  Who is this that hideth counsel without knowledge? Therefore I have spoken unwisely, and things that above measure exceeded my knowledge. Hear, and I will speak: I will ask thee, and do thou tell me. With the hearing of the ear, I have heard thee, but now my eye seeth thee.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 139 (138):24b; V. 1-3, 7-8, 9-10, 13-14ab (DR--V. 1-4a, 7-8, 9-10, 13-14ab)

R.  (A)nd lead me in the eternal way.

V.  Lord, thou hast proved me, and known me:

     Thou hast known my sitting down, and my rising up.

     Thou hast understood my thoughts afar off:

     my path and my line thou hast searched out.

     And thou hast foreseen all my ways:

V.  Whither shall I go from thy spirit?

     or whither shall I flee from thy face?

     If I ascend into heaven, thou art there:

     if I descend into hell, thou art present.

V.  If I take my wings early in the morning,

     and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea:

     Even there also shall thy hand lead me:

     and thy right hand shall hold me.

V.  For thou hast possessed my reins:

     thou hast protected me from my mother's womb.

     I will praise thee, for thou art fearfully magnified:

     wonderful are thy works,

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 18:1-5, 10

At that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Who thinkest thou is the greater in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus calling unto him a little child, set him in the midst of them, And said: Amen I say to you, unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven. And he that shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me. See that you despise not one of these little ones: for I say to you, that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

Angels Amoungst Us

Yes, it is a children's prayer. But didn't He mention something about being child-like? On this Feast of the Guardian Angels, take time to say "thank you" to yours.

Angele Dei, qui custos es mei,
Me tibi commissum pietate superna;
Hodie, Hac nocte illumina,
custodi, rege, et guberna. Amen.

++++++++++

Angel of God, my guardian dear,
to whom His love commits me here,
ever this night be at my side,
to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.

++++++++++

What is man that you should be mindful of him, or the son of man that you should care for him? You have made him little less than the angels, and crowned him with glory and honor.

Psalm 8:5-6

**********

Originally posted 10/2/2006.
Re-posted 10/2/2010.
Re-posted 10/2/2012.
Re-posted 10/2/2015.
Re-posted 10/2/2017.
Re-posted 10/2/2018.

Re-posted 10/2/2019.

Re-posted 10/2/2020.

Re-posted 10/2/2021.

Re-posted 10/2/2023.

Re-posted 10/2/2024.

Re-posted 10/2/2025.

September & October Morning Offering Prayer Intentions

Here was the intention for last month when praying the Morning Offering:

For The Care Of Water. Let us pray for a just and sustainable management of water, a vital resource, so that everyone may have equal access to it.

A link is provided for further reflection.

Here is the intention for this month when praying the Morning Offering:

For Mental Health Ministry. Let us pray that the mental health ministry be established throughout the Church, helping to overcome the stigma and discrimination of persons with mental illnesses.

A link is provided for further reflection.

(Again, I have no excuse for being this late with both. I am sorry.)

DR Squared: Memorial Of Saint Thérèse Of The Child Jesus, Virgin And Doctor Of The Church

First Reading:  Isaiah 66:10-14c

Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all you that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all you that mourn for her. That you may suck, and be filled with the breasts of her consolations: that you may milk out, and flow with delights, from the abundance of her glory. For thus saith the Lord: Behold I will bring upon her as it were a river of peace, and as an overflowing torrent the glory of the Gentiles, which you shall suck; you shall be carried at the breasts, and upon the knees they shall caress you. As one whom the mother caresseth, so will I comfort you, and you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. You shall see and your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb, and the hand of the Lord shall be known to his servants,

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 131 (130):1bcde, 2, 3

R.  (NB:  There seems to be no corresponding verse.)

V.  Lord, my heart is not exalted:

     nor are my eyes lofty.

     Neither have I walked in great matters,

     nor in wonderful things above me.

V.  If I was not humbly minded,

     but exalted my soul:

     As a child that is weaned is towards his mother,

     so reward in my soul.

V.  Let Israel hope in the Lord,

     from henceforth now and for ever. 

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 18:1-4

At that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Who thinkest thou is the greater in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus calling unto him a little child, set him in the midst of them, And said: Amen I say to you, unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven.

The readings form the USCCB can be found here.

++++++++++

Originally posted 10/1/2025.

DR Squared: Thursday Of The Twenty-Sixth Week In Ordinary Time (Year II)

First Reading:  Job 19:21-27

Have pity on me, have pity on me, at least you my friends, because the hand of the Lord hath touched me. Why do you persecute me as God, and glut yourselves with my flesh? Who will grant me that my words may be written? Who will grant me that they may be marked down in a book? With an iron pen and in a plate of lead, or else be graven with an instrument in flint stone. For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and in the last day I shall rise out of the earth. And I shall be clothed again with my skin, and in my flesh I will see my God. Whom I myself shall see, and my eyes shall behold, and not another: this my hope is laid up in my bosom. 

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 27 (26):13; V. 7-8a, 8b-9abc, 13-14 

R.  I believe to see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.

V.  Hear, O Lord, my voice, with which I have cried to thee:

     have mercy on me and hear me. 

     My heart hath said to thee: My face hath sought thee:

V.  (T)hy face, O Lord, will I still seek.

     Turn not away thy face from me;

     decline not in thy wrath from thy servant.

     Be thou my helper, forsake me not;

V.  I believe to see the good things of the Lord

     in the land of the living.

     Expect the Lord, do manfully, and let thy heart take courage,

     and wait thou for the Lord.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 10:1-12

And after these things the Lord appointed also other seventy-two: and he sent them two and two before his face into every city and place whither he himself was to come. And he said to them: The harvest indeed is great, but the labourers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send labourers into his harvest. Go: Behold I send you as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes; and salute no man by the way. Into whatsoever house you enter, first say: Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon him; but if not, it shall return to you. And in the same house, remain, eating and drinking such things as they have: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Remove not from house to house. And into what city soever you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. And heal the sick that are therein, and say to them: The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But into whatsoever city you enter, and they receive you not, going forth into the streets thereof, say:  Even the very dust of your city that cleaveth to us, we wipe off against you. Yet know this, that the kingdom of God is at hand. I say to you, it shall be more tolerable at that day for Sodom, than for that city.

The readings from the USCCB can be found 

DR Squared: Memorial Of Saint Jerome, Priest And Doctor Of The Church

First Reading:  2 Timothy 3:14-17

But continue thou in those things which thou hast learned, and which have been committed to thee: knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And because from thy infancy thou hast known the holy scriptures, which can instruct thee to salvation, by the faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture, inspired of God, is profitable to teach, to reprove, to correct, to instruct in justice, That the man of God may be perfect, furnished to every good work.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 119 (118):12b; V. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

R.  O Lord: teach me thy justifications.

V.  By what doth a young man correct his way?

     by observing thy words. 

V.  With my whole heart have I sought after thee:

     let me not stray from thy commandments.

V.  Thy words have I hidden in my heart,

     that I may not sin against thee.

V.  Blessed art thou, O Lord:

     teach me thy justifications.

V. With my lips I have pronounced

     all the judgments of thy mouth.

V.  I have been delighted in the way of thy testimonies,

     as in all riches.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 13:47-52

Again the kingdom of heaven is like to a net cast into the sea, and gathering together of all kind of fishes. Which, when it was filled, they drew out, and sitting by the shore, they chose out the good into vessels, but the bad they cast forth. So shall it be at the end of the world. The angels shall go out, and shall separate the wicked from among the just. And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Have ye understood all these things? They say to him: Yes. He said unto them: Therefore every scribe instructed in the kingdom of heaven, is like to a man that is a householder, who bringeth forth out of his treasure new things and old. 

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

++++++++++

Originally posted 9/30/2025.