Saint Francis of Assisi (Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardoni), is the patron saint of animals, born in Assisi, Italy, on July 5, 1182, was a great Italian religious and founder of the mendicant order of Friars Minor, better known as the Franciscan Order.

He was the son of a wealthy merchant from Assisi. In his early youth, he led a life of a noble youth, but never showed interest in his father's business. In 1202, the cities of Assisi and Perusia went to war. During this same period, despite his willingness to fight, Francis became very ill.

After his recovery, he decided to become a squire and set out on this mission. During his journey, he met some beggars and, little by little, he disposed of his belongings to help each person who crossed his path. He returned home, no longer pursuing titles of nobility; on the contrary, he was indignant at the inequality of the world: "How can there be so much injustice, so much luxury, when there is no one to help?side of so much poverty?".

Franciscan Order

In 1206, while praying in the chapel of San Damiano in Assisi, Francis heard a call from God: "Go, Francis, and restore My House." At first, he understood it was about rebuilding the chapel, so he sold all his father's cloth and dedicated his life to the poor and to the work of God. Later, he understood that the real meaning of that message was much greater and extended to the Church as a whole.He took vows of poverty and began to preach his doctrine.

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Francis detested exhibitionism with all his heart and sought incessantly to fulfill the holy commandments, living only for the spirit. His sermons were based on penance and the search for perfect holiness. Gradually, some people began to associate with him and to live this life of penance. In 1208 he asked the Pope for permission to found his brotherhood. ByAround 1215, the Order of the Mendicant Brothers of Assisi was founded, with its facilities in mounds and caves, following its rule of not accumulating property or material wealth.

Love for God and animals

St. Francis of Assisi lived with intensity the love of God. He dedicated himself to building a beautiful fraternity with his disciples, and to this day his teachings are preached. He became known for his great affinity with nature and with animals, even symbolic of the innocence of the return to the Garden of Eden.

In 1224, he fell ill and resigned from the direction of the brotherhood. Together with his disciples, he went to the forest, where he lived in contact with nature. A few days later, Francis was praying on top of a rock when he saw a seraphim with majestic wings, crucified, just like Jesus. When the beautiful vision disappeared, there were marks of blood on Francis' hands and feet, as if he had been crucified.That is, at the end of his life, he, who served God so much and searched for divine perfection, obtained this trait that resembled the Divine Christ, our savior.

Death and Canonization

Already very ill, Francis wished to return to Assisi, where, surrounded by his disciples, he died on October 3, 1226, at the age of 44. Two years after his death, he was canonized by Pope Gregory IX. Saint Francis of Assisi is an example of a servant of God and a great protector of animals. His life and religious legacies are celebrated on October 4.

Prayers of Saint Francis

St. Francis of Assisi teaches us the power of humility and obedience to God and His commandments. His kindness and love for animals are an inspiration to us all. No wonder his prayers are often the answer in cases of sickness and distress. Below are some of the main and most powerful prayers of St. Francis of Assisi.

Original Saint Francis Prayer

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Spiritist prayers, or prayers, are our channel of communication with God. Through them, we pray, exalt, and give thanks for all our blessings. The original prayer of St. Francis of Assisi represents the saint's purity and great faith. It is a powerful prayer that invites us to cry out with humility in search of harmony in our lives.

"Sir,

Make me an instrument of Your Peace.

Where there is Hate, may I bring Love,

Where there is offense, may I bring forgiveness.

Where there is Discord, may I bring Union.

Where there is Doubt, may I bring Faith.

Where there is Error, may I bring Truth.

Where there is Despair, may I bring Hope.

Where there is Sorrow, may I bring Joy.

Where there is Darkness, may I bring the Light!

O Master,

make me look for more:

consoling than being consoled;

to understand than to be understood;

to love than to be loved.

For it is by giving that you receive.

It is by forgiving that one is forgiven

And it is by dying that one lives to eternal life!

Amen"

St. Francis Prayer for Animals

St. Francis of Assisi saw in animals and nature the purest divine perfection. Every little detail was thought and created by God. During his life, and even after his death, he always protected all animals. Through his kindness and pure heart, he brought peace to the suffering and helpless. Ivana Negri wrote a beautiful prayer on this theme, entitled Animal Prayer:

"My St. Francis of Assisi

Animal Protector

Look upon us who pray

Your blessing and much peace.

Look at the abandoned

Suffering hardships in the streets

And those who pull carts

Flogged in the bare hips.

For the poor little birds

Who can no longer fly

Trapped in crude cages

Just because they can sing.

And the lab rats

Who suffer atrocious pain

In terrible experiences

That they are imposed upon by their tormentors.

For those who are slaughtered

In insane slaughterhouses

For serving food

To those who call themselves human.

Look at those who are persecuted

No Mercy in the Forests

Only because of ambition

Of those nefarious hunts.

For the circus animals

Who no longer have freedom

Trapped in tiny cages

At the mercy of cruelty.

Look at the rodeo steers

And the bled at the bullfights

Barbarism and imposed crimes

By soulless people.

For those who have to fight

To the death in the fights

When man places bets

In such petty transactions.

Look at those who are dead

In the macabre rituals

On religious altars

That use the blood of animals.

My Kind Protector

I pray to you for my brothers

So that your pain and sorrow

Let them not be vain sufferings."

Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi for the protection of animals

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The love of an animal is pure, free of interests and totally true. It teaches us, in a simple way, the beauty of friendship, companionship and trust in God's love. Say this prayer, authored by the holistic coaching Franco Guizzeti, when your pet is sick and in need of divine intervention. Saint Francis of Assisi, together with the Lord Jesus Christ, will work in yourcause, have faith!

"Lord, may Your blessing at this moment reach (name of animal) and, like a miracle, help heal him.

Because, Lord, Your wisdom is divine, and Your healing power is great.

I also know, Lord, that You put animals in the world to teach us sublime things, like unconditional love, and it is because of this love that I ask for this little four-legged creature that is sick, that she be rehabilitated and have less pain with Your help, by Your grace!

My heart is beating within me because there is nothing I can do, but I trust in Your blessed strength! Lord, in You I trust, and I entrust (name of the animal) in Your healing and divine hands. At this moment, Lord, I lift up my thoughts to also ask that the healing doctors of the greater spirituality work and help in our battle, eliminating the illnesses and the suffering of this animal.

Lord, may healing be present from this prayer and may (name of animal) obtain health and peace.

Amen."

Prayer to St. Francis of Assisi to save and find an animal

A lost animal saddens hearts and tests our faith. Nature is perfect: even in challenging moments, we need to believe and believe in Almighty God. St. Francis of Assisi lived with simplicity and saw in animals the great love of Jesus Christ and the Creator. The prayer below, also authored by holistic coaching Franco Guizzeti, is recommended for when the animal needs rescuingor is lost.

"Saint Francis is merciful,

I ask for help to save (find) this animal

(Say the name of the animal)

With the fullness of Your compassion,

Don't allow him to be cruelly treated,

Not even if it remains in captivity.

I beg you, Saint Francis,

Patron saint of animals,

Help me to save him (or find him)

Anywhere on earth.

In Your name, Saint Francis

You, who are present everywhere,

Guide me with Your eyes,

So you can save it (or find it).

See to it that

(Name of the animal)

Be safe!

So be it,

Amen."

Prayer to St. Francis for a sick animal

Just like the leaves of a tree, which bear fruit and then fall to the ground, so is our life and that of the animals. There is a cycle, in which we are born, live and die, when we meet with God, our creator. However, sickness sometimes strikes our pets, and we cannot understand or deal with the situation. The best thing to do is to pray and have faith, everything in this life happens as it has to be.your heart and allow St. Francis of Assisi to invade it with his goodness and celestial love through the prayer below, written by Frei Evandro Balestrin.

"Glorious St. Francis, Saint of simplicity, love and joy. In heaven you contemplate the infinite perfections of God. Cast your glance full of goodness upon us. Help us in our spiritual and bodily needs. Pray our Father and Creator to grant us the graces we ask for through your intercession, you who have always been so friendly to him. And inflame our hearts with loveMy Beloved St. Francis, place your hands on this Angel (animal's name) who needs you! With the Wisdom of your Love, answer our request. St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us, Amen".

We have a lot to learn from St. Francis of Assisi, a simple man with an enormous heart and even greater faith. His teachings endure through time, and his life is an example of dedication and love for God. In the midst of difficult moments, or even in everyday life, stop for a moment and try to see in nature and in animals the divine beauty and perfection. "God is love, and his creation isperfect": this is, without a doubt, one of the greatest lessons of St. Francis of Assisi.