St.Francis of Assisi - a historical review

Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, OFM, better known as Francis of Assisi (Italian: Francesco d'Assisi; 1181 – 3 October 1226) was an Italian mystic and Catholic friar who founded the Franciscans. He was inspired to lead a life of poverty and extreme sacrifice as an itinerant preacher administering to lepers. St.Francis was canonized by Pope Gregory IX on 16 July 1228 only 2 years after his death. He is one of the earliest recorded recipients of the wounds of Jesus Christ, (the stigmata).
The Patron Saint of Italy, animals and ecology.
He is also considered the patron against dying alone; against fire; patron of the Franciscan Order and Catholic Action; of families, peace, and needleworkers.

The Peace Prayer

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is error, the truth;
Where there is doubt, the 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 raised to eternal life. Amen.