A Prayer of St. Francis

[Jaga]

Since we are going to San Francisco I could not forget about St. Francis. He is one of my favorite saints. By the way, my friend who is a methodist also have a favorite saint- St. Anthony.

Here is a famous St. Francis prayer:

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;
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.

www.zarcrom.com/users/yeartorem/stfrancis.html

[Jaga]

and its Polish version:

here are the good fonts if you have problem with this version below:
www.radosne.alleluja.pl/tekst.php?numer=9235

Modlitwa œw.Franciszka
O Panie, uczyñ z nas narzêdzia Twojego pokoju,

Abyœmy siali mi³oœæ tam, gdzie panuje nienawiœæ;
Wybaczenie tam, gdzie panuje krzywda;
Jednoœæ tam, gdzie panuje zw¹tpienie;
Nadziejê tam, gdzie panuje rozpacz;
Œwiat³o tam, gdzie panuje mrok;
RadoϾ tam, gdzie panuje smutek.

Spraw abyœmy mogli,
Nie tyle szukaæ pociechy, co pociechê dawaæ;
Nie tyle szukaæ zrozumienia, co rozumieæ;
Nie tyle szukaæ mi³oœci, co kochaæ;

Albowiem daj¹c, otrzymujemy;
Wybaczaj¹c, zyskujemy przebaczenie,
A umieraj¹c, rodzimy siê do wiecznego ¿ycia.

Przez Chrystusa Pana naszego. Amen.

[Jaga]

Charles,

what about a German version? Does it exist? Can you find it?

[bescheid]

Jaga

That is a very wonderful prayer, and so very moving to the heart.




Gebet im Geiste des Hl Franz von Assisi


Herr, mache mich zum Werkzeug Deines Friedens:


dass ich Liebe bringe, wo man sich hasst.
dass ich Versöhnung bringe, wo man sich kränkt.
dass ich Einigkeit bringe, wo Zwietracht ist.
dass ich den Glauben bringe, wo Zweifel quält.
dass ich Wahrheit bringe, wo Irrtum herrscht.
dass ich die Hoffnung bringe, wo Verzweiflung droht.
dass ich die Freude bringe, wo Traurigkeit ist.
dass ich das Licht bringe, wo Finsternis waltet.

O Meister, hilf mir, dass ich nicht danach verlange:

Getröstet zu werden, sondern zu trösten.
Verstanden zu werden, sondern zu verstehen.
Geliebt zu werden, sondern zu lieben.


Wer gibt, der empfängt, wer verzeiht, dem wird verziehen.
Wer stirbt, der wird zum ewigen Leben geboren.


Amen


Charles

[bujno]

Jaga, you probably know the story of St. Francis of Assisi and the Gubbio wolf. JUst to remind:

>>Perhaps the most famous story of St. Francis is when he tamed the wolf that was terrorizing the people of Gubbio. While Francis was staying in that town he learned of a wolf so ravenous that it was not only killing and eating animals, but people, too. The people took up arms and went after it, but those who encountered the wolf were killed. The villagers became afraid to leave the city walls.

Francis took pity on the people and the wolf as well and decided to go out and meet the wolf. He was desperately warned by the people, but he insisted that God would take care of him. A brave friar and several peasants accompanied Francis outside the city gate. But soon the peasants became terrified and said they would go no farther.

Francis and his companion began to walk on. Suddenly the wolf, jaws wide open, charged out of the woods at the couple. Francis made the Sign of the Cross toward the wolf who immediately slowed down and closed its mouth. Then Francis called out to the wolf: “Come to me, Brother Wolf. I wish you no harm.” At that moment the wolf lowered its head and lay down at St. Francis’ feet, meek as a lamb.

St. Francis explained to the wolf that he had been terrorizing the people, killing not only other animals, but humans as well. “Brother Wolf,” said Francis, “I want to make peace between you and the people of Gubbio. They will harm you no more and you must no longer harm them. All past wrongs are to be forgiven.”

The wolf showed its assent by moving its body and nodding its head. Then to the absolute surprise of the gathering crowd, Francis asked the wolf to make a pledge. As St. Francis extended his hand to receive the pledge, so the wolf extended its front paw and placed it into the saint’s hand. Then Francis invited the wolf to follow him into town to make a peace pact with the townspeople. The wolf meekly followed St. Francis.

By the time they got to the town square, everyone was there to witness the miracle. Then he offered the townspeople peace, on behalf of the wolf. The townspeople promised in a loud voice to feed the wolf. Then Francis asked the wolf if he would live in peace under those terms. He bowed his head and twisted his body in a way that convinced everyone he accepted the pact. Then once again the wolf placed its paw in Francis’ hand as a sign of the pact.

From that day on the people kept the pact they had made. The wolf lived for two years among the townspeople, going from door to door for food. It hurt no one and no one hurt it. Even the dogs did not bark at it. When the wolf finally died of old age, the people of Gubbio were sad. The wolf’s peaceful ways had been a living reminder to them of the wonders, patience, virtues and holiness of St. Francis. It had been a living symbol of the power and providence of the living God. <<
www.anaflora.com/articles/saints-sages/saint-1.html


This year we've been having our vacation in Umbria, on the very hills over the Gubbio, so I thought I might share some pictures, since you are thinking about St. Francis recently

Panorama of Gubbio:


City Hall:


The Maedieval city:


Umbrian Apenini:



THe Wolf of Gubbio:

[nancy]

St Francis is my favorite saint. I love the prayer, and the stories that are told about him.


bunjo,

what has happened to your photos? I would like to see them.

[Jaga]

Bujno, beautiful story. I have heard about St. Francis that he was talking to animals, but if I heard this wolf story it was a long time ago...
thanks for sharing

Nancy,

the problem with pictures is probably the same as with my recent posts where I wanted to include images - the websites do not allow showing their images anywhere outside.

[bujno]

Thank you dear J&N, Jaga and Nancy (J&N PC Board - that's how I name this board in my mind
All is correct now - it was entirely my fault that it wasn't - i made some changes in the photobucket file and that was the reason.

[pieter]

Wojtek,

This year we've been having our vacation in Umbria, on the very hills over the Gubbio, so I thought I might share some pictures, since you are thinking about St. Francis recently

Umbria is like Heaven on earth, I spend a lovely may vacation week in Umbria in a sort of Castle (Country house with large Estate around it) between Arezzo (Toscane) and Perugia (Umbria) in the lovely village Cita di Castello, on a travel with an Art Historian institute from Amsterdam. I was invated by an Amsterdam friend of mine.
Umbria, the green heart of Italy ( il cuor verde d'Italia ) is the perfect balance between men and nature in a centuries old cultural landscape of sweet green hills, Olive trees, Yellow, Beige, Ochre, touches of Sienna shadows, and the mild Italian Green of a soft rolling landscape, with pitoresque villages and old towns. Perugia was beautiful.
Sometimes in a small village you could see tresures of art, large fresco's, beautiful Mideaval architecture and sculpture.
The strangest thing was that back then in 2000 in towns I saw political posters with only propaganda for the Neo-Fascists or the Italian Communists. It looked like the rich landowners were fascists, and the poor landworkers Communists, In the dresser in the room of the "Castle" I stayed (the room was filled with ancient furniture) I found strange Polaroids of parties with fantasy fascist uniforms (a mix of Italian fascist and Nazi swastica). Like in a bizar Italian movie.
We had an Italian housmaid, who lived with her family next to the castle, and she prepare fantastic Italian meals for us and surved it on the huge Castle table for the 10 of us.

In the Park like garden there was a private swimming Pool, tennis court and beautiful lawn with tall trees to make a romantic evening walk. On one walk to the nearby village we encountered drunked Carribinieri, who were throwing beerbottles against a wall. Strange but funny experiance.

It was one of the most amazing and phantastic vacations I ever had.

[nancy]

bunjo,

beautiful photos! I particularly like the one of the stone arches in the city.

[Bob S]

nancy said:

St Francis is my favorite saint. I love the prayer, and the stories that are told about him.


bunjo,

what has happened to your photos? I would like to see them.

bujno. Great pictures and story. I could even print the photos if I wanted to. Nancy. Your computer must be as old and messed up as mine. Sometimes I experience problems viewing photos or transfering info from one disc to another. ;D

[bujno]

Thank you Nancy and Bob!
Pieter, we've stayed in the country house, stonemade the Umbria way. We were all alone in the very large garden, and the swimming pool to keep the young ones busy. Noone to feed us, though, we have prepared local dishes ourselves or went down to the city for meals. Did you manage to get to Sansepolcro to see Piero della Francesca, Ressurection fresco mural?

[pieter]

Wojtek,

Unfortunately I did not see Piero della Francesca, Ressurection fresco mural in Sansepolcro,
but saw a lot of other phantastic fresco's in a village near "our" Cita di Castello, and also
in Arezzo. In Perugia I saw more Renaissance architecture, and I loved to walk down from
the top of the town into the little crowded Italian peoples neighbourhoods, to smell the
Italian way of life, the food odor that came out of the windows, the elegance and eshtetical
way of dressing of the Italians, the narrow streets, and sudden great views,
and in the evening eating at a good pizzeria on the top of the hill of the city centre.
Since I was in the company of Art historians they explained a lot about the Italian
art history, artists, and the way they made their fresco's and paintings.
A few of the men and women that were in my group spoke Italian, and you could
notice that they were experianced Italy travelers (due to their many organised
art journeys they organised and guided).

I was a real layman in ancient art between these professionals, but I liked it
because it was a very pleasent vacation, and a good cultural injection.

Pieter

Pieter

[rdywenur]

Bujno.... what a great story. I have not heard of that one. Also the photos are magnificent. Makes me wish I were there.