PRAYER CHAPEL OF SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI

POOR MAN OF ASSISI; 

HERALD OF PEACE, LOVER OF CHRIST AND ALL CREATION

Please enter the devotional prayer chapel with a few moments of silence. Quiet your thoughts and put yourself in the Presence of Almighty God. May holy Saint Francis of Assisi help you in your pilgrimage towards holiness. This prayer chapel expresses the  heart of Saint Francis' spirituality; joyful poverty, love of Christ crucified, reverence for the Holy Eucharist, peace and reconciliation, compassionate service to the poor and praise of God through all creation.

Theme: Humility, poverty of spirit, love of Jesus Christ, peace, joy, care for creation, charity toward the poor, and holiness through simple living.

Entrance Prayer

"In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ, You called Saint Francis of Assisi to leave behind the riches of this world and to embrace the riches of Your Kingdom. Through his humble life of prayer, poverty and joyful service, he became a living image of Your love and a faithful witness to Your Holy Gospel.

As we gather in this chapel dedicated to his honour, teach us to seek first the treasures of heaven. Help us to love You above all things, to care for one another with generous hearts, and to become instruments of Your peace in a world longing for hope.

May Saint Francis lead us ever closer to Your Sacred Heart.

Amen."

Scripture Reading

Matthew 5:9

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God."

Reflection

Saint Francis of Assisi heard the voice of Christ calling him to "repair My Church." He responded with joyful generosity, embracing a life of simplicity, humility and complete trust in God's Providence.

Saint Francis loved the Holy Eucharist with deep reverence, cherished Sacred Scripture, served the poor with compassion, and saw every person as a brother or sister. His love extended to all creation, which he recognised as a gift from the Creator. Francis praised God through the beauty of the sun, the moon, the birds and every living creature.

Near the end of his life, Saint Francis received the sacred wounds of Christ. He shared in the sufferings of Our beloved Lord. Yet even in suffering Francis remained joyful, for his heart rested completely in God.

Saint Francis reminds us that true happiness is found not in possessions or worldly success, but in loving God with our whole hearts and serving others with humility and compassion.

LITANY OF SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI

Response: Pray for us

Saint Francis,

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Saint Francis, faithful servant of Jesus Christ,

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Saint Francis, who loved the Holy Eucharist,

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Saint Francis, humble follower of the gospel,

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Saint Francis, herald of peace,

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Saint Francis, joyful servant of the poor,

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Saint Francis, faithful son of the Church,

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Saint Francis, lover of God's creation,

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Saint Francis, model of simplicity,

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Saint Francis, example of holy poverty,

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Saint Francis, bearer of the Sacred Stigmata,

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Saint Francis, comforter of the suffering,

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Saint Francis, friend of all God's creatures,

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Saint Francis, teacher of joyful trust,

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Saint Francis, patron of peace,

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Saint Francis, faithful disciple of Christ,

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Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us.

Prayer for Peace

"Saint Francis of Assisi, faithful servant of Christ and joyful messenger of peace, pray for us.

Teach us to love as Jesus loved, to forgive as He forgave, and to seek peace wherever there is conflict.

Help us to replace anger with gentleness, selfishness with generosity, fear with trust, and hatred with love.

May our words encourage others, our actions reflect the Gospel, and our lives become instruments through which Christ's peace reaches the world.

Fill our hearts with the joy that comes from living close to Jesus.

Amen."

Prayer for Families and Communities

"Saint Francis, intercede for our families and communities.

Pray that our homes may become places of prayer, kindness and joyful service. Inspire us to care for one another, especially the poor, the lonely, the elderly and those who are forgotten.

Teach us to respect God's beautiful creation and to use its gifts wisely and gratefully.

Pray for our Church, our communities and our nations, that we may live together in harmony, justice and charity.

Lead many souls to discover the peace and Mercy of Jesus Christ.

Amen."

Closing Prayer

"O God, You called Saint Francis of Assisi to follow Christ in humility, poverty and perfect charity.

Grant that, through his prayers, we may seek first Your Kingdom, rejoice in serving others, and become faithful witnesses to the Gospel in every circumstance of life.

Teach us to love the Holy Eucharist, to care for all whom You have created, and to walk each day in simplicity, gratitude and peace.

Bring us at last into the everlasting joy of heaven, where, together with Saint Francis and all the saints, we shall praise You forever.

Through Christ our Lord.

Amen."

Saint Francis of Assisi; pray for us

Jesus, King of Mercy; we trust in You

Our Lady of the Angels; pray for us

Saint Joseph, Guardian and Patron of the Church; pray for us.

NOVENA TO SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI

The Novena to Saint Francis of Assisi is a time of prayer, joyful conversion and complete trust in God. Through his powerful intercession, we ask for the grace to live the gospel with simplicity. We ask that we have the gift to love the poor, to care for God's creation and to become instruments of peace. We pray that we may grow in holiness through humility and charity.

"In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Heavenly Father, in Your infinite goodness You called Saint Francis of Assisi to leave behind the riches of this world, and to embrace the riches of Your heavenly Kingdom.

Through his joyful life of prayer, poverty and service, Francis became a faithful image of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Filled with love for the Holy Eucharist, compassion for the poor and reverence for all creation, Francis proclaimed the gospel with both his words and his life.

Lord Jesus Christ, through the prayers of Saint Francis, grant me the grace to follow You with an undivided heart. Help me to seek holiness in simplicity and to trust in Your loving Providence. Guide me to become an instrument of Your peace.

Saint Francis of Assisi, faithful servant of Christ, I confidently ask for your loving intercession.

(Here mention your intention.)

If it is God's Holy Will, obtain for me the favour I now seek.

Teach me to love the poor, to forgive generously and to live humbly. Help me to recognise Christ in every person I meet.

Guide me to care for Your creation with gratitude and to rejoice in the gift of each new day. Inspire me to proclaim the gospel by the witness of my life.

Pray for the Church, for families and for those who suffer. Pray for all who are poor in body or spirit, and for everyone seeking the peace of Christ.

Lead me always closer to Jesus and His Blessed Mother, that one day I may rejoice with you and all the saints in the everlasting happiness of heaven.

I thank you, dear Saint Francis, for your loving prayers and entrust myself completely to the mercy of Almighty God.

Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle "St Francis' devotional prayer in old chapel"