On the sandy bank of the Ganges River, St. Holiday paused from his ablutions today to remember St. Francis of Assisi, who died on this day in 1226 Anno Domini. He is greatly admired by St. Holiday for his reverence for life, his exceeding kindness to animals, and his sincere efforts to imitate the character of Christ is his own life. The following poem is attributed to St. Francis, and though it has not been possible to prove an historical connection to him, it can at least be accepted and enjoyed as a reflection of his spiritual nature and consecration to charity. God bless St. Francis.
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy 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.
Amen.
