The Stigmata of St. Francis

Section: 
prayers

September 17

Environment: 


Bible, San Damiano Crucifix, statue of St. Francis, candles, rocks. 

Hymn Suggestions:

Come,Worship the Lord (Talbot)
Only This I Want (Schutte)
Jesus, Remember Me (Berthier)
Lift Up Your Hearts (O’Connor)
All I Ask of You (Norbet)
The Praises of God (Likovich)
My God and My All (Zaragoza)
Turn To Me (Foley)
Earthen Vessels (Foley)
How Great Thou Art (Hine)

Opening Prayer:

The Prayer Before the 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.

From page 40, Francis of Assisi: Early Documents Vol. 1, edited by Regis J. Armstrong, OFM Cap., J.A. Wayne Hellmann, OFM Conv., William J. Short, OFM. New York: New City Press, 1999. Used with permission.

Psalm Suggestions:

15; 51; 92; 112

Reading Suggestions:

Galatians 6:14, 17-18; Romans 6:4-6; 6:8-11; Thomas of Celano 

Interiorizing the significance of the gift given to Francis:

As the music is playing, take turns holding the crucifix reverencing it in some manner and silently contemplating Christ’s suffering. If you feel comfortable doing so, pray aloud as the Spirit moves you or write your response in your journal.

Gospel Canticle Antiphon:

Lord, Jesus Christ, you signed your servant Francis with the marks of our redemption.

Intercessions:

Response: Lord, hear our prayer.
For church leaders and all members of the church to always remember the way of the cross as well as the triumph of the resurrection, we pray...
For all who follow the example of Francis, who taught us to glory in the cross of Jesus, we pray...
For reconciliation and lasting peace for all nations, we pray...
For our sisters and brothers who are poor or hungry or homeless, we pray...
For the grace to see the face of Jesus in those we serve, as did Francis, we pray...
For all of us gathered here, and for our whole community, that God’s presence among us be more clearly seen, we pray...
For the grace to share the love of Jesus with all others, we pray...

Closing Prayer:

The Canticle of the Creatures
 
Most High, all-powerful, good Lord,
Yours are the praises, the glory, and the honor, and all blessing,
To You alone, Most High, do they belong,
and no human is worthy to mention Your name.

Praised be You, my Lord, with all Your creatures,
especially Sir Brother Sun,
Who is the day and through whom You give us light.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor;
and bears a likeness of You, Most High One.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars,
n heaven You formed them clear and precious and beautiful.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind,
and through the air, cloudy and serene, and every kind of weather, through whom You give sustenance to Your creatures.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water,
who is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire,
through whom You light the night,
and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.
 
Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Mother Earth,
who sustains and governs us,
and who produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.
 
Praised be You, my Lord, through those who give pardon for Your love, and bear infirmity and tribulation. 
Blessed are those who endure in peace
for by You, Most High, shall they be crowned.
 
Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death,
from whom no one living can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin.
Blessed are those whom death will find in Your most holy will, for the second death shall do them no harm.
 
Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks
and serve Him with great humility.
 

From pp. 113-114 “The Writings of Francis of Assisi” in Francis of Assisi: Vol. 1, The Saint, edited by Regis J. Armstrong, OFM Cap., J.A. Wayne Hellmann, OFM Conv., William J. Short, OFM> New York: New City Press, 1999. Used with permission.