The Franciscan Creed

Inspired by the vision of St. Francis, we commit ourselves to the Gospel way of life. We see Jesus Christ as the beginning, the way and the Goal of all creation. We are in pilgrimage trying to reach our Creator and trying to live a life of love. This world vision reveals to us a God who is Creator and a life, which is love. 

This demands of us a life as sisters and brothers of all people and of all creatures. As weak human beings, we must undergo a continuing conversion, returning always to God as prodigal children.

Christ was poor and Christ was crucified, we seek to share in his poorness and in his suffering. We further commit ourselves to the service of the poor and less privileged. In making our way through life, we are guided more by simplicity, humility, and littleness than by power, prestige and status. Like Christ, like Francis, we seek to be peacemakers, instruments of peace.

Acknowledging the guiding presence of the Holy Spirit, we declare our loyalty to the Church in a spirit of dialogue and cooperation with her ministers. We are conscious of our obligation to share in the life and mission of the church. We are apostles called by Christ to continue God’s work on earth. Our life and our spirituality, however is characteristically secular, in the world and for the world.

Joy sustains our lives, joy fulfills our lives, and we seek the same for others. To achieve all this is difficult, hence we declare our need for personal, communal, and liturgical prayer, especially in the Eucharist of Jesus Christ. Amen.

A Franciscan Benediction

May God bless you with discomfort
At easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships
So that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger
At injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people,
So that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.

May God bless you with tears
To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger and war,
So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and
To turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness
To believe that you can make a difference in the world,
So that you can do what others claim cannot be done
To bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.

Amen

A prayer on entering a church

We adore you, most holy Lord Jesus Christ, here, and in all your churches throughout all the world; and we bless you, because, by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.

Litany of St. Elizabeth of Hungary

The Litany of St. Elizabeth of Hungary,
Protector, Third Order Franciscan
 

Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

O Christ, hear us.
O Christ, graciously hear us.

O God the Father, of heaven: have mercy upon us. O God the Son, Redeemer of the world:
O God, the Holy Ghost:
O Holy Trinity, one God:
have mercy upon us.

Holy Mary:
Pray for us.
Immaculate Virgin:
Mother and Mistress of our Order:
Pray for us.

St. Elizabeth, Princess of Hungary: Pray for us. St. Elizabeth, Duchess of Thuringia:
St. Elizabeth, mother in Israel:
St. Elizabeth, queen in the Kingdom of God:
St. Elizabeth, consoler of sinners:
St. Elizabeth, nurse of lepers:
St. Elizabeth, devoted wife of Louis the Good:
St. Elizabeth, famous exemplar of Christian widowhood:
St. Elizabeth, fervent spouse of the Son of God:
St. Elizabeth, humble in prosperity:
St. Elizabeth, patient in adversity:
St. Elizabeth, mighty in penance:
St. Elizabeth, wondrous in prayer:
St. Elizabeth, first-born of the tertiaries regular:
St. Elizabeth, protectress of our Order:
St. Elizabeth, the "dear saint" of Holy Church:
Pray for us.

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world: spare us, O Lord. O Lamb of God , that takest away the sins of the world:
graciously hear us, O Lord.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world:
have mercy on us.

V. Pray for us, O blessed Elizabeth. Alleluia.
R. That we may be worthy of the promises of Christ. Alleluia.

Let us pray.
[The following Collect is said]

Merciful Lord, we pray Thee to pour the bright beams of Thy grace into our hearts: that, by the glorious prayers of Thy Saint Elizabeth, we may learn to despise all worldly prosperity, and ever to rejoice in all Heavenly consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

St. Francis' Prayer at Mt. La Verna

"Lord, I ask you for two graces before I die: to experience in myself, as much as possible, the sufferings of your cruel Passion, and to feel for you the same love that drove you to sacrifice yourself for us.

My Lord Jesus Christ, I beg thee to grant me two graces before my death: first, that for the rest of my life I may experience in my soul and in my body, as much as possible, the same pain that you suffered, O sweet Jesus, during the time of thy most cruel Passion; and second, that I may feel in my heart, as much as possible, the same love which inflamed thee, the Son of God, and led thee to suffer thy passion gladly for us sinners."

The Five Wounds of our Lord

THE FIVE WOUNDS of OUR LORD
Composed & Recited Daily by Saint Clare of Assisi

As Franciscans in spirit, we give great thanks and praise for the life and example of our patroness, Saint Clare of Assisi. During this Holy Week, we join her in this litany composed and recited by her throughout her life in the cloister at San Damiano. As we pray this litany in honor of the Five Wounds of Our Lord, we join in Saint Clare's prayerful lament over the sufferings of our Savior, and we join in her hopeful prayer for the Lord's love, mercy, and friendship. Saint Francis, pray for us! Saint Clare, pray for us! Our Lady of Angels, pray for us!

1. In Honor of the Wound in the Right Hand of Our Divine Savior

Praise and honor be given You, Lord Jesus Christ, by reason of the of Sacred Wound in your Right Hand. By this holy and adorable wound, I beseech you to pardon all of the sins that I have committed by thought, word, and deed; by neglecting my service to you, and by self-indulgence, both while awake and asleep. Grant me the grace, that by devout and frequent remembrance of your Holy Passion, I may honor your sacred wounds and the death which you endured for my sake; and that by chastising my body, I may testify my gratitude for your sufferings and your death. Our Father. Hail Mary. Amen.

2. In Honor of the Wound in the Left Hand of Our Divine Savior

Praise and honor be given You, Lord Jesus Christ, by reason of the Sacred Wound in your Left Hand. By this holy and adorable wound, I beseech you to have pity on me and to change within me whatever is displeasing to you. Grant me victory over your enemies, so that by the power of  your grace, I may overcome them. And by your holy death, deliver me from all dangers, present and future, and make me worthy to share in the glory of your blessed kingdom. Our Father. Hail Mary. Amen.

3. In Honor of the Wound in the Right Foot of Our Divine Savior

Praise and honor be given You, Lord Jesus Christ, by reason of the Sacred Wound in your Right Foot. By this holy and adorable wound, I beseech you to enable me to bring forth worthy fruits of penance for my sins. I humbly entreat you, for the sake of your holy death, to keep me safe, day and night, according to your holy will and to preserve me from all adversity, in body and soul, so that on the judgment day, I may obtain eternal joy. Our Father. Hail Mary. Amen.

4. In Honor of the Wound in the Left Foot of Our Divine Savior

Praise and honor be given You, Lord Jesus Christ, by reason of the Sacred Wound in your Left Foot. By this holy and adorable wound, I beseech you to forgive my sins and to grant full remission for my sins, so that with your help, I may escape the rigors of your justice. I entreat you, Lord Jesus Christ, for the sake of your holy death, to grant that at the hour of my death, I may have the grace to confess my sins with perfect contrition; to receive the Blessed Sacrament of Your Body and Blood; and to receive the Sacrament of Holy Annointing for the sake my eternal salvation. Our Father. Hail Mary. Amen.

5. In Honor the Wound in the Side of Our Divine Savior

Praise and honor be given You, Lord Jesus Christ, by reason of the Sacred Wound in your Side. By this holy and adorable wound and by the Baptism with which your purified me from original sin, I beseech you to deliver me from all evils -- past, present, and future. I entreat you, by your bitter death, to give me a lively faith, a firm hope, and perfect charity, so that I may love you with my whole heart, with my whole soul, and with all my strength. Uphold me by your grace through the practice of good works, so that I may serve you always in this life and praise you forever in heaven. Our Father. Hail Mary. Amen.

SALUTATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN

Hail, holy Lady, most holy Queen,

Mary, Mother of God, ever-virgin;

Chosen by the most holy Father in Heaven,

consecrated by Him

with His most holy and beloved Son

and the Holy Spirit, the Comforter.

On you descended

and in you still remains

all the fullness of grace and every good.

Hail, His palace.

Hail, His tabernacle.

Hail, His robe.

Hail, His handmaid.

Hail, His mother.

And hail, all holy virtues,

who by the grace

and inspiration of the Holy Spirit

are poured into the hearts

of the faithful so that,

faithless no longer,

they may be faithful servants of God through you.

Amen

Saint Francis' Prayer Inspired by the Our Father

O OUR most holy FATHER, Our Creator, Redeemer, Consoler, and Saviour, WHO ARE IN HEAVEN:
In the angels and in the saints, Enlightening them to love, because You, Lord, are light
Inflaming them to love, because You, Lord, are love Dwelling in them and filling them with happiness,
Because You, Lord, are the Supreme Good, the Eternal Good,
From Whom comes all good and without Whom there is no good.

HALLOWED BY YOUR NAME: May our knowledge of You become ever clearer
That we may know the breadth of Your blessings, the length of Your promises,
The height of Your majesty, the depth of Your judgments

YOUR KINGDOM COME: So that You may rule in us through Your grace
And enable us to come to Your kingdom where there is an unclouded vision of You,
A perfect love of You, a blessed companionship with You, an eternal enjoyment of You.

YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN:
That we may love You with our whole heart by always thinking of You,
With our whole soul by always desiring You,
With our whole mind by directing all our intentions to You and by seeking Your glory in everything,
And with our whole strength by spending all our energies and affections of soul and body
In the service of Your love and of nothing else,
And may we love our neighbors as ourselves by drawing them all with our whole strength to Your love,
By rejoicing in the good fortunes of others as well as our own,
And by sympathizing with the misfortunes of others and by giving offense to no one.

GIVE US THIS DAY: in memory and understanding and reverence of the love
which Our Lord Jesus Christ had for us and of those things which He said and did and suffered for us.

OUR DAILY BREAD: Your own Beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ

AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES: Through Your ineffable mercy,
Through the power of the Passion of Your Beloved Son,
Together with the merits and intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all Your chosen ones.

AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US:
And whatever we do not forgive perfectly, do You, Lord, enable us to forgive to the full
So that we may truly love our enemies and fervently intercede for them before You,
Returning no one evil for evil and striving to help everyone in You.

AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION Hidden or obvious, Sudden or persistent

BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL, Past, present, and to come.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. 

Prayer Before the Crucifix

Prayer Before the Crucifix

Most High glorious God, enlighten the darkness of my heart. Give me right faith, sure hope and perfect charity. Fill me with understanding and knowledge that I may fulfill your command.

Praises to be said at every hour by St. Francis of Assisi

Open my mouth, Lord,
that I may bless your holy Name;
cleanse also my heart from all vain, evil, 
and wandering thoughts;
enlighten my understanding;
inflame my affections;
that I may say this
Office worthily,
with attention and devotion,
and so be meet to be heard in the presence of your divine Majesty. 
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Here begin the praises which our most blessed Father Francis ordained and himself said at every hour of the day and night and before the Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary, beginning thus: Most Holy, Our Father who art in heaven, etc.. with the Glory be. Then the praises are to be said:


Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was and who is to come (cf Apoc 4:8) : And let us praise and exalt Him above all throughout the ages.
Worthy are Thee, Our Lord God, to accept praise, glory and honor, and blessing (cf Apoc 4:11) : And let us praise and exalt Him above all throughout the ages.Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain to accept virtue and riches¹ and wisdom and fortitude and honor and glory and blessing (Apoc 5:12) : And let us praise and exalt Him above all throughout the ages.
Let us bless the Father and the Son with the Holy Spirit : And let us praise and exalt Him above all throughout the ages.
All you works of the Lord bless the Lord (Dan 3:57) : And let us praise and exalt Him above all throughout the ages.
Recite praise to Our God all you His servants and you who fear God, tiny and great (cf Apoc 19:5) : And let us praise and exalt Him above all throughout the ages.
Praise Him the Glorious One you heavens and earth (cf Ps 68:35; Ps Rom) : And let us praise and exalt Him above all throughout the ages.And every creature, which is in Heaven and on the earth and which is beneath the earth and the sea and those which are in it (cf Apoc 5:13) : And let us praise and exalt Him above all throughout the ages.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit : And let us praise and exalt Him above all throughout the ages.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be always and unto the ages of ages. Amen
And let us praise and exalt Him above all throughout the ages.

Prayer Omnipotent, Most Holy, Most High, and Highest God, all good, highest Good, wholely good, who alone is good (cf Lk 18:19), to Thee do we render all praise, all glory, all thanks, all honor, all blessing and all goods. So be it. So be it. Amen.

Canticle of the Creatures

Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord,
All praise is Yours, all glory, honor and blessings.
To you alone, Most High, do they belong;
no mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your Name.

We praise You, Lord, for all Your creatures,
especially for Brother Sun,
who is the day through whom You give us light.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor,
of You Most High, he bears your likeness. 

We praise You, Lord, for Sister Moon and the stars,
in the heavens you have made them bright, precious and fair. 

We praise You, Lord, for Brothers Wind and Air,
fair and stormy, all weather's moods,
by which You cherish all that You have made. 

We praise You, Lord, for Sister Water,
so useful, humble, precious and pure. 

We praise You, Lord, for Brother Fire,
through whom You light the night.
He is beautiful, playful, robust, and strong. 

We praise You, Lord, for Sister Earth,
who sustains us
with her fruits, colored flowers, and herbs. 

We praise You, Lord, for those who pardon,
for love of You bear sickness and trial.
Blessed are those who endure in peace,
by You Most High, they will be crowned. 

We praise You, Lord, for Sister Death,
from whom no-one living can escape.
Woe to those who die in their sins!
Blessed are those that She finds doing Your Will.
No second death can do them harm.

We praise and bless You, Lord, and give You thanks,
and serve You in all humility

The Aaronic Blessing

 (Numbers 6:24–26, NIV)

The Lord bless you

and keep you;

the Lord make His face shine upon you

and be gracious to you;

the Lord turn His face toward you

and give you peace.

Peace 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

Franciscan Morning Offering

Jesus, Lord, I offer you this new day because I believe in you, love you, hope all things in you and thank you for your blessings.  I am sorry for having offended you and forgive everyone who has offended me. Lord look on me and leave in me peace and courage and your humble wisdom that I may serve others with joy, and be pleasing to you all day.