Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

Act of Love

O I believe Thou art present in the Blessed Sacrament, O Jesus.
I love Thee and desire Thee.
Come into my heart.
I embrace Thee, O never leave me.
I beseech Thee, O Lord Jesus,
may the burning and most sweet power of Thy love absorb my mind,
that I may die through love of Thy love,
who wast graciously pleased to die through love of my love.

- St. Francis of Assisi

Vision of St. Francis by Vicente CarduchoPicture source

Our Lady of the Trinity

Holy Virgin Mary,
there is none like you among women
born in the world.
Daughter and handmaid of the heavenly Father,
the almighty King.

Mother of our most high Lord Jesus Christ,
and Spouse of the Holy Spirit,
pray for us to your most holy Son,
our Lord and Master.

Hail holy Lady,
most noble Queen,
Mother of God, and Mary ever Virgin.
You were chosen by the heavenly Father,
who has been pleased to honor you
with the presence of his most holy Son
and the Divine Paraclete.

You were blessed with the fullness
of grace and goodness,
Hail, Temple of God,
his dwelling place, his masterpiece, his handmaid.
Hail, Mother of God.
I venerate you for the holy virtues which-
through the grace and light of the Holy Spirit-
you bring into the hearts of your clients
to change them from unfaithful Christians
to faithful children of God.

- St. Francis of Assisi

Death of St. Francis by Giotto

Prayer to St. Francis of Assisi

Dear Saint, once worldly and vain,
you became humble and poor for the sake of Jesus
and had an extraordinary love for the Crucified,
which showed itself in your body
by the imprints of Christ's Sacred Woulds.

In our selfish and sensual age,
how greatly we need your secret
that draws countless men and women to imitate you.
Teach us also great love for the poor
and unswerving loyalty to the Vicar of Christ.

Prayer Sources: New Saint Joseph People's Prayer Book, Catholic Book Publishing Co. and The Prayer Book, The Catholic Press, Inc.