Peace Prayer
While often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, the Peace Prayer wasn’t written by the saint. However, it remains a popular traditional 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;
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.
Read this prayer in Spanish.
Take 3 minutes to reflect on peace.
Learn about Saint Francis of Assisi.
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Download a coloring page to use in introducing or meditating on this prayer’s famous first line, “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.” The Spanish version, “Señor, haz de mí un instrumento de tu paz,” is also available as a coloring page.
Lover of Nature
Saint Francis was born in the town of Assisi in Italy in 1182. At the age of 20 he devoted himself to a life of prayer. Three years later, Francis embraced a life of poverty and dedicated himself to God.
Francis was a lover of nature. He took long walks through the countryside and studied its plants and trees. Francis felt that all plants and animals were part of God?s kingdom.
Saint Francis is the founder of the Franciscan religious order. He is the patron saint of those who care for plants and animals.
His feast day is celebrated on October 4.
Blessing of the Animals celebrations are held on October 4, the feast of Saint Francis, all over the United States. They are often held outdoors. A priest blesses each pet by praying a special prayer and sprinkling the pet with holy water.