Today Autom celebrates the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, perhaps the best-loved of all the saints. To help celebrate we have put a great selection of St. Francis products on sale this week only at Autom.com.
Francesco Bernadone was born in Assisi, Italy in 1181. Thanks to his wealthy father, young Francis reveled with his peers in a life of fine clothes, and partying. He battled as a knight in Assisi’s war with Perugia, where he spent one year as a prisoner. After a long illness back home, Francis received a dream, and thus his conversion began. One day, by God’s grace, he hugged a leper, overcoming his own revulsion with an embrace which changed “bitterness to sweetness.”
In 1205, in the church of nearby San Damiano, the image of Jesus crucified spoke to Francis the simple command, “Go rebuild My house.” Francis responded by giving his clothes back to his father and living his life according to the Gospels, in poverty and love. Dressed in old clothes and barefoot, Francis went about as a beggar, preaching peace and God’s love for all creation. For Francis, the animals were his brothers and sisters. He worked rebuilding churches, inspiring others to reform their own lives as well. Companions joined Francis in his care for the sick and lepers and thus the Franciscan order was born.
Clare of Assisi, a dear friend, joined this fledging group and in 1212, under the inspiration of Francis, she formed the Poor Clares. Francis was torn between his desire to live as a contemplative, in complete devotion to God, or to live among people, preaching the Gospel. He chose the latter, but returned to quiet solitude when he was able. He even traveled to the Holy Land in 1219 and sought to convert the Muslim sultan of Egypt! God blessed Francis and his work, bestowing on him in 1224 the stigmata, or the wounds of Christ.
At the age of 44, nearly blind and suffering from serious illness, Francis lay on his deathbed in Assisi. Surrounded by his brothers, Francis prayed, “Be Praised, O Lord, for our Sister Death.” He then asked his superior for permission to have his clothes removed, and on October 4th, 1226, Saint Francis of Assisi died lying on the earth, in imitation of Jesus, who died for us on the wood of the Cross.
Francesco Bernadone was born in Assisi, Italy in 1181. Thanks to his wealthy father, young Francis reveled with his peers in a life of fine clothes, and partying. He battled as a knight in Assisi’s war with Perugia, where he spent one year as a prisoner. After a long illness back home, Francis received a dream, and thus his conversion began. One day, by God’s grace, he hugged a leper, overcoming his own revulsion with an embrace which changed “bitterness to sweetness.”In 1205, in the church of nearby San Damiano, the image of Jesus crucified spoke to Francis the simple command, “Go rebuild My house.” Francis responded by giving his clothes back to his father and living his life according to the Gospels, in poverty and love. Dressed in old clothes and barefoot, Francis went about as a beggar, preaching peace and God’s love for all creation. For Francis, the animals were his brothers and sisters. He worked rebuilding churches, inspiring others to reform their own lives as well. Companions joined Francis in his care for the sick and lepers and thus the Franciscan order was born.
Clare of Assisi, a dear friend, joined this fledging group and in 1212, under the inspiration of Francis, she formed the Poor Clares. Francis was torn between his desire to live as a contemplative, in complete devotion to God, or to live among people, preaching the Gospel. He chose the latter, but returned to quiet solitude when he was able. He even traveled to the Holy Land in 1219 and sought to convert the Muslim sultan of Egypt! God blessed Francis and his work, bestowing on him in 1224 the stigmata, or the wounds of Christ.
At the age of 44, nearly blind and suffering from serious illness, Francis lay on his deathbed in Assisi. Surrounded by his brothers, Francis prayed, “Be Praised, O Lord, for our Sister Death.” He then asked his superior for permission to have his clothes removed, and on October 4th, 1226, Saint Francis of Assisi died lying on the earth, in imitation of Jesus, who died for us on the wood of the Cross.
Prayer for Peace
Saint Francis of Assisi
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;
And 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.
Saint Francis of Assisi
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;
And 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.
The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross traces its roots back to the 3rd century, where we find Saint Helen, who married Constantius Chlorus, the Co-Emperor of the Western Roman Empire, in 270. Soon after, her only son Constantine was born, and her husband divorced her for his own political advancement. After Constantius’ death in 308, Constantine became emperor, and he reinstated his mother as Augusta, or Empress. Helen converted to Christianity in 312, and used her position and wealth to help the poor, build churches, and spread Christianity throughout the empire, including the Holy Land. It was there, on September 14, 326, that she discovered the True Cross of Christ, which she identified by touching it to a dying woman, who was instantly healed.
On August 23, 2005, Hurricane Katrina formed over the Bahamas, touching down in southern Florida and six days later in southeast Louisiana, causing severe destruction and death, due in large part to the catastrophic failure of the levee system in New Orleans. By August 31, 2005, 80% of New Orleans and surrounding areas suffered flooding from waters that took weeks to recede. Katrina has become the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history, responsible for the deaths of over 1,800 people and property damage in excess of $80 billion over 90,000 square miles.
In 1954 Pope Pius XII established today’s feast in honor of the Queenship of Mary, affirming what had been held by the faithful from the early days of the Church. When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, he prophesied of Jesus, “He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:32-33). After this incredible experience, Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, her baby leapt in her womb. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth proclaimed, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” - (Luke 1:42-43 - emphasis added).
In 1673, Jesus chose a young nun, Sister Margaret Mary Alacoque, to receive the revelations of His Sacred Heart and bear them to a world desperately in need of His warmth and fire. Jesus wanted to remind us of His personal passionate love and to arouse our love in return.
Today is the Feast Day of Our Lady of Fatima! Let us celebrate!
Dear God,
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