On the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi
Dear readers:
Today, October 4, is the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan order. Even though they lived hundreds of years apart, St. Therese and St. Francis have some things in common, namely spreading love and peace. Let's compare some of their writings:
About showing love:
St. Francis wrote:
"Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love."
St. Therese wrote:
"At last I have found my vocation; my vocation is love!"
About being peaceful and cheerful during your task:
St. Francis wrote:
"It is not fitting, when one is in God's service, to have a gloomy face or a chilling look. "
St. Therese wrote:
"Even when alone, be cheerful, remembering always that you are in the sight of the angels."
About poverty and serving God:
St. Francis wrote:
"Grant me the treasure of sublime poverty: permit the distinctive sign of our order to be that it does not possess anything of its own beneath the sun, for the glory of your name, and that it have no other patrimony than begging."
St. Therese wrote:
"The only happiness here below is to strive to be always content with what Jesus gives us."
I am sure I could find other comparisons between the Franciscan saint and the Carmelite saint. They are both wonderful saints for you to learn about and pray to.
DAY THREE
Loving God, You graced St. Therese with a capacity to see Your hand in the ordinary routine of each day. Help us to be aware of Your presence in the everyday events of our lives. Amen.
