Commenting on the often violent inhumanity of man to man, George Bernard Shaw in his play
“Caesar and Cleopatra” sums things up this way: “And so, to the end of history, murder shall
breed murder, always in the name of right and honor and peace, until the gods are tired of
blood, and create a race that can understand.”
Francis committed himself to the special ministry of “healing wounds, to uniting what was
falling apart, and bringing home those who have lost their way.” At the core of Francis’
spirituality was the belief, “My God loves me.” And so he reduced his prayer to “My God and
my all.”
Not even one’s own life is too precious to give for the sake of another who is in need. Self-
giving and self-realization go together. Francis inspires us and teaches us to see the need for
detachment, self-discipline and self-giving compassion toward all creatures, if we are to honor the
divine presence dwelling within created reality that “God may be all in all” (1 Cor 15: 28).

Prayer of St. Francis:

Lord, make me an instrument of thy 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;
It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.