Saint Francis of Assisi

Novena in Honor of Saint Francis of Assisi

There are a few areas that I have a problem with Saint Francis. I don't quite follow his reasoning on punishing himself constantly by taking all his clothes off. Seems very weird and not all that effective - it is not something I can ever imagine Jesus doing so where he came up with this idea is beyond me. Must be some Middle Ages thing that is escaping my grasp.

But the point is, Francis was determined to belong totally to God. Since his father complained to the Bishop that the clothes Francis has on his back belonged to him, Francis readily gave them up. Much as I hate to admit it, I need to be as ready and willing to give everything up to totally follow Jesus.

Pride is perhaps the hardest thing to let go of in our christian walk...maybe this was really what Francis was trying to throw off.

Novena Prayer - Day Six
Saint Francis,
help me to let go
of the many things
that are holding me
back from living a truly free
and enuncumbered life.
Not the responsibilities
that my state of life require
work, family, etc, but those interior
things that hold me down,
the little puffed up images of self
that need to be stripped and given up.
Help me, like Saint Francis
to be more of a fool in this world
and to be more lighthearted and joy-filled
because I am not always protecting
my image.
Amen.

Please join us tomorrow for the seventh day of the Novena to Saint Francis.

To send a Francis Novena Card Click Here