Let's not forget St. Francis of Assisi

This very important saint and founder of the Franciscans is remembered every year on October 4th. This year, falling on a Sunday, we may tend to forget him. Many people do not realize this but St. Francis was not a priest; he was a deacon of the church. He had a great conversion, renouncing his wealth as he committed his life to God. He was a powerful preacher often speaking out on serving the poor and riding oneself of extravagant wealth. He also preached humility. The Franciscans are still a very strong religious order to this day.

St. Francis is well known as the patron saint of the environment and animals. In fact, it is quite common for various blessings of animals or pets to occur on or near October 4th.

And many people pray a beautiful prayer often attributed to St. Francis:

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.