Saint
Saint Francis of Assisi
- Country / origin
- Italy
- Life
- c. 1181–1226
- Feast
- 4 October
Awaiting theological review
Who was this?
The son of a rich merchant who embraced radical poverty to follow Christ, founded the Franciscans and praised God in all creation.
Patron of
- peace
- the poor
- creation
- ecology
- animals
When to ask for intercession
- conflicts
- wanting simplicity
- our relationship with creation
- detachment from possessions
A short prayer
Saint Francis, teach me to live simply, to serve the poor and to be an instrument of Christ's peace.
Written for Lumen as a simple personal prayer of intercession — not a liturgical text.
What we know — and how
Historians debate
The well-known prayer Lord, make me an instrument of your peace is traditionally linked to Saint Francis, but it was not written by him: it first appears in the early 20th century.
What are you living through today?
- Peace
- Nature and animals
The next question