DEVOTIONAL

COMPANION
WITH CALENDAR
AND OTHER LITURGICAL RITES

THIRD ORDER,
SOCIETY OF SAINT FRANCIS
PROVINCE OF THE AMERICAS
2015
Devotional Companion 2015

Preface to the 2015 edition

While God is the same today and always, our
relationship changes as our understanding of God
grows. And our worship changes as our interaction
with the world around us changes. This latest
edition of the Devotional Companion continues to
build on the faithful work of the past editions.
Changes include some new commemorations of
Franciscans into our calendar; additions of new
material: “An Informal Service of Holy Eucharist
for Franciscan Gatherings” an alternative “Transitus
of St. Francis,” and the “Burial Office for a
Departed Third Order Franciscan”; some formatting
changes to make the Directory easier to use and
save space; changes in some of the Collects to make
them consistent with the wider Franciscan
community; and some deletions of materials seldom
used.
Editor of the 2015 edition.
(2015 Edition approved by Chapter October 2014)

From the 2004 edition

A Companion is a friend – someone who is on the

journey with you. So this booklet of prayers and
liturgies is intended to go with you. Keep it with
your Prayer Book. Take it with you to Franciscan
fellowships and convocations. May God bless you
as you are strengthened and nourished by it.

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Sources for the Third Order Calendar and materials:

Armstrong, Regis J. and Ignatius C. Brady. Francis
and Clare: The Complete Words. Missionary
Society of St. Paul the Apostle – Paulist Press,
1982.
Habig, Marion A. The Franciscan Book of Saints.
Chicago, IL: Franciscan Herald Press, 1979.
McCloskey, Patrick. Franciscan Saint of the Day.
Chicago, IL: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 1981.
Proper Offices of Franciscan Saints and Blessed in
the Liturgy of the Hours. NY: Catholic Book
Publishing Co., Published by the English-Speaking
Conference of the Order of Friars Minor, 1975 and
from other TSSF Provinces.
Third Order Manual (Part 2) African Province
Proposed Calendar from the New Zealand
Province, 1993.
The Society of St. Francis
The Daily Office Book produced by the Community
of St. Francis, Copyright c. 1996.

Copyright c. 2015. The Third Order, Province of the

Americas, Society of Saint Francis. Permission for
reproducing parts or all of this booklet is given.
Please credit the Third Order, Province of the
Americas, Society of Saint Francis. For other uses,
contact: [email protected].

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface 2

Third Order Calendar 7

Biographies, Commemorations and Collects
Prayers for the Society of Saint Francis 47
For the Society 48
For the First Order 48
For the Second Order 48
For the Third Order 49
Third Order Litany 49
Collects of Saint Francis 52
Prayers Attributed to Saint Francis 55
My God and My All 55
The Absorbeat 55
Lord, Make me an Instrument 56
The Praises of the Divine Trinity 57
Canticle of Brother Sun 58
To the Blessed Virgin 59
The Praises of God 59
Paraphrase of the Lord’s Prayer 60
The Praises of the Virtues 61
Prayers for Daily, Seasonal, and Occasional Use 63
On Entering a Church 64
After Office or Eucharist or Angelus 64
Before a Crucifix 64
Prayers for the Beginning of the Day 64
Preparation for Communion 65
Thanksgiving for Communion 65
Lord Be Known to Me 66
Cross Prayers 66

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Blessing of a Profession Cross 67

Prayers while putting on Profession Cross 67
Holy Mary 67
World Prayer for Peace 68
Prayers from the writings of St. Clare 68
Traditional Prayers 69
Veni Creator Spiritus 69
Jesus Prayer 69
Hail Mary 69
Angelus 70
Anima Christi 70
Seasonal Prayers 71
Advent 71
Refrains on the Magnificat 71
Come Lord Jesus 72
Christmas Prayers 72
A Crèche Prayer 72
To the Infant Jesus 72
Magnificat of the Stable 73
Lent 74
Stations of the Cross 74
Francistide 76
The Transitus (form 1 and 2) 76
Prayers that Express Franciscan Concerns 82
For Faith, Hope and Charity 82
For the Vision of Christ’s Being and Beauty 82
For a Greater Sense of Beauty 82
For Those Who Have the Care of Animals 82
For Those Having None to Pray for Them 82
For Making a Better Use of Time 83
For the Homeless and the Hungry 83
For the Unemployed 83

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Meditating and Meditations 84

A Simple Way to be with God 85
The Dominican Rosary 85
The Children’s Chaplet 87
The Franciscan Crown of Our Lady’s Joys 88
A Meditation on the Incarnation 88
Annual Review of the Tertiary’s Vocation 90
Instruments of Peace 91
Awareness Examen 92
The Order of Admissions 95
The Holy Eucharist of Saints Francis and Clare 104
An Informal Service of Holy Eucharist for 114
Franciscan Gatherings
Burial Office for a Departed Third Order 120
Franciscan
A Form of Blessing of Animals 125

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THIRD ORDER CALENDAR

Biographies

Collects

Propers

Commemorations

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THIRD ORDER CALENDAR

(Please Note. This calendar is a supplement to the Book of
Common Prayer. It is assumed that Third Order members will
observe the Prayer Book holy days. Using the collect for the
appropriate day is recommended, especially when Eucharistic
participation is not possible. The date given with each
individual is the date of death.)

JANUARY 7
ANGELA OF FOLIGNO (1309)
Tertiary
While still a wife and mother, Angela, with the help of her
confessor, began to dedicate her life to prayer and works of
charity. On the death of her husband and children, she entered
the Franciscan Third Order and developed a vivid mystical
prayer life. She continued to serve the poor and sick of Foligno
and acted as beggar for their needs. With her confessor she
wrote a Book of Visions and Instructions.
Collect: Almighty and everliving God, to whom Angela
of Foligno dedicated her life of mystical prayer and works
of charity; grant that we may minister to the sick and poor
of our age, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you
and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God for ever and
ever. Amen.

JANUARY 16
FIRST FRANCISCAN MARTYRS (1220)
First Order Martyrs
First Franciscan Martyrs: Brothers Bernardo, Peter,
Accursio, Adiuto, and Otto were sent to preach to the Moslems
in Seville, Spain. There they were put in custody and sent to
Morocco where they preached in the streets of Marrakech.
Initially, they were thought to be mad. An attempt at bribery
only brought a retort, “We despise all these things for the sake
of Christ.” Finally they were put in chains, they were cruelly
tortured and beheaded.

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Collect: Almighty God, grant by the example of the holy

martyrs Bernard, Peter, Accursio, Adiuto, and Otto,
through whose glorious martyrdom you sanctified the
beginning of the Franciscan First Order, that we may at all
times desire things heavenly and may love Christ; through
the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

JANUARY 18-25
WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY
Christian Unity: The Society of the Atonement at Graymoor
began its life as a religious order of the Episcopal Church but
was received into the Roman Catholic Church in 1909. One of
its major emphases is unity, and thus they began the Week of
Prayer for Christian Unity, which is widely observed in the
Episcopal Church, Protestant denominations, and the Roman
Catholic Church. The unity of Christ’s Body the Church ought
always to be a concern of prayer among Franciscans.
Collect: Holy God, who calls us in the Body of your Son
Jesus Christ to continue his work of reconciliation and
reveal you to all the world: Forgive us the sins which tear
us apart. Give us the courage to overcome our fears and to
seek that unity which is your gift and your will; through
Jesus Christ our Lord.

JANUARY 23
YONA KANAMUYEZI (1964)
Third Order Martyr
Yona Kanamuyezi, a deacon of the Anglican Church, provided
a home on his mission at Nyamata for refugees during the civil
war in Rwanda-Burundi. His activities became suspect to the
authorities when he refused to take sides in the conflict. He and
two other members of his mission were arrested and led away
to be shot.

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Collect: O God of Peace: Grant that we may become true

“peacemakers” through searching to preserve inner peace,
which will govern our minds and our actions so that the
love of Christ may be seen in us no matter what we may
suffer at the hands of the world. We ask for this inner
peace, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

JANUARY 28
BROTHER JUNIPER (1258)
First Order
Brother Juniper: Brother Juniper joined Francis in 1210. He
is depicted in the Little Flowers of St. Francis as the epitome of
simplicity, obedience, and generosity. Francis sent him to
establish “places” for the friars in Gualdo, Tadino and Viterbo,
and when Clare was dying, he consoled her. Francis said of
Juniper, “Would to God, my brothers, I had a whole forest of
such Junipers.”
Collect: Heavenly Father, may we, like Brother Juniper,
attain the state of perfect patience by keeping the truth of
our own lowliness constantly in mind, while following
Christ on his way of the Cross. We ask this through our
Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(paraphrase of #85, Mirror of Perfection)

FEBRUARY 5
FRANCISCAN MARTYRS OF JAPAN (1597)
First Order Brothers
Franciscan Martyrs of Japan: In 1593, Peter Baptist and five
other friars were sent to Japan where they labored zealously,
converting many, building churches, and founding hospitals.
The arrival of Westerners to Japan resulted in national political
upheaval, which led to the arrest of the friars. They were taken
to Nagasaki where, with three Jesuits and fifteen Franciscan
tertiaries, they were executed by crucifixion.

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Collect: God our Father, source of strength for all your

saints, you led Peter and his companions through the
sufferings of the Cross to the joy of eternal life. May their
example give us courage to be loyal until death in
professing our faith. We ask this through our Lord Jesus
Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

FEBRUARY 7
COLETTE (1447)
Second Order
Colette: After her parents’ death, Colette obtained
permission to live the life of an anchoress in a small abode
attached directly to the church wall, where she followed the
rule of the Third Order. God soon called her, however, to
recover the strict observance of the rule of St. Clare, which
had been greatly relaxed by the fifteenth century. Colette’s
humility led her to resist the call. She was struck dumb and
later blind till she cried out: “Lord, what wilt thou have me
do? I am ready to do anything thou desirest of me.” At once
her speech and sight were restored. She founded seventeen
convents in which the primitive rule of St. Clare flourished.
Collect: God our sustainer, who inspired Colette to be an
example and leader of evangelical perfection for many:
Grant that the spirit of Francis and Clare, which she wisely
taught and wondrously confirmed by her example, may
ever abide in us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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FEBRUARY 8
JACOBA OF SETTESOLI
Jacoba of Settesoli: Lady Jacoba of Settesoli (also known as
Giacoma) was a wealthy noblewoman and widow in Rome who
became a dear friend of Francis. She supported the Franciscan
movement with her wealth and influence, and led an austere life
dedicated to acts of charity. Because of her fortitude, humor,
and frankness, as well as her loyalty to Francis, he nicknamed
her “Brother Jacoba.” Although her responsibilities as a mother
prevented her from giving away her wealth and joining the Poor
Clares, her example of following the Franciscan virtues in the
world may have inspired the founding of the Third Order.
Francis summoned her when he lay dying, and she brought him
her almond dessert that he loved. When Jacoba died years later,
she was buried in the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, near the
tombs of Francis and the Friars, who were his closest
companions.
Collect: Lord God, grant us the same courage and passion
for the gospel of Jesus Christ that Francis found in his friend
Jacoba. Even among the cares and duties of this world, may
we devote ourselves to acts of kindness, faithfully serving
the poor and our sisters and brothers in Christ; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
FEBRUARY 15
GEORGE POTTER (1960)
Friar
George Potter: ‘Father Potter of Pekham’ as he was known,
was an Anglican parish priest in a poor area of South East
London just after the First World War. Great were the needs of
the area, and his enthusiasm drew together men willing to work
for the people. The vision was Franciscan, and the Brotherhood
of the Holy Cross was formed. Considerable work with
homeless boys was done, and homes were set up. The work
carried on during the Second World War, although bombed out
of one property. Father Potter was closely involved with the
amalgamation of communities to form the Society of St. Francis
and, although he did not join, not long after his death, the
remaining BHC brothers became part of SSF.

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Collect: O loving God, who cares for all those in need, we

thank you for George Potter who inspired others to form
the Brotherhood of the Holy Cross to work with homeless
boys; we pray that we also may have our hearts stirred to
care for your little ones, through the example of our Savior
Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and
reigns, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

FEBRUARY 19
CONRAD OF PIACENZA (1351)
Third Order
Conrad of Piacenza: A married man of means and leisure,
Conrad loved hunting. Once, when his quarry hid itself in dense
underbrush, he tried to force it into the open by setting fire to
the brushwood. The fire got out of hand, and a large forest as
well as a grain field was destroyed. When an innocent man was
apprehended, tortured, and sentenced to death by the Governor,
Conrad confessed and repaired the damage. This was a
conversion experience for Conrad. Thereafter he sold all his
possessions and, with his wife, forsook the world and joined the
Third Order.

Collect: Almighty God, who inspired Conrad through his

zeal for justice to serve you faithfully in the desert as a
member of the Third Order: Grant us grace to follow his
example by living justly and piously in anticipation of
coming home to you. Through Jesus Christ, your Son, who
lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
forever and ever. Amen.

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FEBRUARY 25
FOUNDING OF THE COMMUNITY OF ST. FRANCIS
(1905)
Founding of the Community of St. Francis: Rosina Rice was
the founder of the Community of St. Francis. She had been a
member of the Sisters of Bethany for eighteen years when she
felt called to a life of greater poverty. With permission of her
Superior, she left to found the CSF in 1905 and was soon joined
by three other women. In 1910 Mother Rosina was received into
the Roman Catholic Church and entered the Society of the
Atonement in New York State. The Community of St. Francis
continued to grow and to do the Lord’s work under its new
Mother, Elizabeth.
Collect: Loving God, we celebrate your love, your power,
your hope within each one of us. We give you thanks for
faithful and courageous women throughout the ages,
especially Mothers Rosina and Elizabeth in whose
company our hearts are made glad. With them we magnify
your name, Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier. Amen.
MARCH 4
SYLVESTER OF ASSISI (1240)
First Order Friar
Sylvester of Assisi: Sylvester was one of the first twelve
associates who gathered around Francis, and he was the first
priest in the Order. Sylvester had sold Francis a large number
of stones for the rebuilding of St. Damian’s, and he had received
a fair price. But when he later found Bernard and Francis
distributing Bernard’s wealth to the poor in Assisi, Sylvester
complained that he had not received enough money for the
stones. In response, Francis reached down into the bag of
money and filled Sylvester’s hands with more coins. Struck by
his own sense of avarice, he reproached himself and resolved to
rectify his wrong. Soon Sylvester sold all his goods, divided the
proceeds among the poor, and humbly asked admission to
Francis’s Order. Later, because Sylvester became such a lover
of solitude and prayer, Francis would often turn to his aid for
discernment. It was Sylvester who along with Clare revealed to
Francis that he should go and preach the gospel. He lived
fourteen years after Francis died.
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Collect: Turning, turning, turning—dear Lord Jesus, you

turn us right around as you turned Sylvester from money to
prayer, from the city to mountain solitude. Never stop
turning us, Lord Jesus, and never allow us to stop turning
at your bidding. We ask this in your name. Amen.

MARCH 7
FATHER JOSEPH (CLAUDE CROOKSTON), (1979)
Founder of the Order of St. Francis, U.S.A.
First Order Friar
Father Joseph: As a secular priest serving as interim at St.
Luke’s Church, Cincinnati, Fr. Joseph attempted to found a
Franciscan community. The First Order community failed, but
the Third Order was successfully begun. In 1919, while serving
as vicar of the Church of the Ascension in Merrill, Wisconsin,
Fr. Joseph succeeded in founding the Order of St. Francis and
in helping to found the Poor Clares. He made his profession in
1924 and served as Father Minister until 1967. His great work
of editing the Anglican Missal and the Anglican Breviary aided
and influenced the liturgical life of the Episcopal Church. A
gifted mission preacher, he was actively involved in the Anglo-
Catholic movement. He died on 7 March 1979 at Little Portion
Friary
Collect: O God, whose blessed Son became poor that we,
through his poverty, might be rich: Deliver us from an
inordinate love of this world, that inspired by the devotion
of Father Joseph, our founder, we may attain to the riches
of the age to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives
and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God
for ever and ever. Amen.

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MARCH 28
WILLIAM SIRR (1937)
Friar, Monk, Solitary
William Sirr: Father William lived and died a member of a
Franciscan community, The Society of the Divine Compassion,
but was given permission to try to found an enclosed Order for
men. He established the monastery of Saint Mary at the Cross,
Glasshampton in Worchestershire. A man of great prayer, his
spiritual and pastoral advice benefited many. Sadly, William of
Glasshampton was never able to found an Order, and towards
the end of his life he was able to say, ‘We must not mind being
a failure. Our Lord died on the cross a failure.’ His gifts of
prayer, courage, kindness, and the ability to trust in God’s
purposes continue to be an influence and attract all manner of
souls to the monastery, now in the care of the Society of St.
Francis.
Collect: Heavenly Father, who endowed William Sirr with
gifts of prayer, courage, and kindness, which he used for
the benefit of many, help us also to trust in your purposes,
Eternal and Triune God. Amen.

MARCH OR APRIL
DAY OF PENITENCE
Friday before Palm Sunday
Day of Penitence: A day of penitence was early observed by
tertiaries in England on the Friday before Palm Sunday. This
observance, which spread to all the Provinces, is one means of
building community in obedience to the vision of Francis.
(Suggested devotions elsewhere in this booklet include: Third
Order Litany, Stations of the Cross, Sorrowful Mysteries of the
Dominican Rosary or of the Children’s Chaplet.)
Collect: Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing
that you have made and forgive the sins of all who are
penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts that
we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our
wretchedness, may receive from you, the God of all mercy,
perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.

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APRIL 3
BENEDICT THE BLACK (1282)
First Order Friar
Benedict the Black: Born to slaves who had been transported
from Africa to Italy where they converted to Christianity,
Benedict was given his freedom when he was 18. He was
popularly called the “Holy Black” by the poor and sick for
whom he cared, and he was received into the Order of Friars
Minor. Although illiterate, he soon became the guardian of the
friary in Palermo, but at the expiration of his term of office,
Benedict went back to his kitchen duties with greater joy than
when he had entered into his duties as superior. Because of his
extraordinary gifts of prayer and counsel people of every class
sought his guidance.
Collect: Heavenly Father, you enriched your servant
Benedict with heavenly gifts and made him renowned in
your Church for miracles and virtues. We ask you to
bestow on us your good gifts that we may follow his
example of faithful, joyful, and humble service; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

APRIL 8
FRANCISCAN SAINTS AND MARTYRS OF THE
AMERICAS
Franciscan Saints and Martyrs of the Americas: Franciscans
brought Christianity to the New World along with the Spanish
settlements about the same time as the Jesuits did in Canada
with the French settlements. Many Franciscans are recorded as
giving their lives in this attempt. Martyrdoms occurred in
Georgia, Kansas, and Arizona long before the Puritans landed
in Massachusetts.
Collect: Almighty God, who sent your Son Jesus Christ to
reconcile the world to yourself: We praise and bless you
for those whom you sent in the power of the Spirit to preach
the gospel to the peoples of the Americas. As we proclaim
that the good news of Jesus is for all nations, so may we all
become a community of love, gathered by prayer and faith
in Jesus Christ our Savior. We ask it in his name. Amen.

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APRIL 10
WILLIAM OF OCKHAM (1347)
Friar, Philosopher, Teacher of the Faith
William was born in Ockham (probably modern-day Woking)
in Surrey. After becoming a friar he studied and taught theology
at the University of Oxford. In 1324 he was summoned to
Avignon by Pope John XXII to defend himself against a charge
of teaching dangerous doctrine. He was never condemned, but
was later excommunicated after getting involved in the debate
over Franciscan poverty. William was eventually reconciled
with the Church, and is recognized as one of the most influential
philosopher-theologians of the fourteenth century.
Collect: We give thanks most loving God for the witness
and teaching of William of Ockham who followed his
conscience in promoting Franciscan poverty at great cost
to himself, we pray that we may be led by his example to
be delivered from an inordinate love of this world, through
Jesus Christ our Lord, who became poor that we might
become rich, and who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.

APRIL 16
FOUNDING OF THE POOR CLARES OF REPARATION
AND ADORATION (1924)
Sister Mary Christine PCR made her profession in perpetual
vows on 16 April 1924 and became the community’s first
Mother. It is considered their foundation date, although several
sisters had been living together for some while preparing for
that day. Until its demise, the community had been the only
Poor Clare nuns in the Episcopal Church in the USA. They had
been nurtured by their close contact with the Order of Saint
Francis and eventually had their convent alongside that of the
brothers on Long Island. Never very many in number, they
faithfully maintained the life of prayer until the death of the last
sister in January 2000.

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Collect: Most loving God, we thank you for Sister Mary

Christine and the other sisters of the Poor Clares of
Reparation and Adoration, whose life of prayer and
contemplation in the Episcopal Church USA supported all
followers of St. Francis. Be with all those who use prayer
for the benefit of others, through Jesus Christ who
promised his presence whenever two or three gather in his
name. Amen.

APRIL 23
GILES OF ASSISI (1240)
First Order Friar
Giles of Assisi was the third companion to join Francis, and he
played a central role in the early Franciscan movement. At the
great chapter in 1219, Francis commissioned Giles and several
companions to go to Africa and preach the gospel to the
Mohammedans. They were unsuccessful, for as soon as they
arrived, the Christians there, fearing a general persecution,
forced the Franciscan missionaries to another ship returning to
Italy. Urged on by his spirit of devotion, Giles made
pilgrimages to various shrines all around the Mediterranean. He
mainly lived as a hermit in his later years.

Collect: Almighty God, you called your servant Giles to

follow blessed Francis in the way of poverty and lifted him
to the heights of contemplation: Grant that we, serving you
in humility, love, and joy, may come at last to your
everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives
and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God
for ever and ever. Amen.

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APRIL 28
LUCHESIO AND BUONADONNA (1260)
Third Order Married Couple
Luchesio and his wife, Buonadonna, wanted to follow St.
Francis as a married couple. This wish prompted Francis to start
the Third Order. Luchesio was originally a greedy merchant in
Poggibonzi. But his life changed after he met Francis around
1213, when he began performing many acts of charity. Initially
his wife was not very enthusiastic about this change in behavior,
but she soon became as zealous for the poor and simple life as
her husband was. He and his wife sold their business, farmed
enough land to provide for their needs, and distributed the rest
to the poor. Luchesio and his wife wanted something else, a way
of sharing in religious life yet remaining outside the cloister.
To meet their desires as well as his own plans for an order for
lay people, Francis set up the Third Order (then known as the
Order of Penance), and Pope Honorius III approved a more
formally worded Rule in 1221.
Collect: Beloved Lord Jesus, thank You for blessing all
walks of life and allowing lay and professed, married and
single, to find a deeper walk with you in the very midst of
their earthy challenges, duties, and joys. Give us who live
in the secular world grace to remember that we care for you
when we care for our brothers and sisters. Amen.
MAY 9
CATHERINE OF BOLOGNA (1463)
Second and Third Orders
Catherine of Bologna: As a child, Catherine was a maid of
honor at a royal court. She then joined a group of Franciscan
tertiaries, who later became Poor Clares. In 1456 she returned
to her birthplace as abbess of a new convent. From an early age,
Catherine was subject to visions. She also was an effective
novice-mistress and superior, and had a talent for calligraphy
and miniature painting.
Collect: Grant, O God, that we, your servants, may be
helped by the example of holy Catherine, that by the sweet
odor of her virtues, we may be joyfully attracted to your
sanctuary; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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MAY 10
YVES OF BRITTANY (1303)
Third Order
Yves of Brittany: Educated at the Universities of Paris and
Orleans, Yves became a civil and canon lawyer. As a diocesan
judge, he was distinguished for his equity and incorruptibility,
and concern for the interests of the poor and ignorant. When he
was ordained priest, he gave himself wholly to parish work. His
legal knowledge was always at the disposal of his parishioners,
as were his time and possessions. He gave an example of a
simple and unassuming living.
Collect: O God, who chose blessed Yves, your confessor,
as a notable minister to the welfare of souls and to the needs
of the poor, we ask you to grant that we may both imitate
his charity and be guided by his example; through Christ
our Lord. Amen.

MAY 16
MARGARET OF CORTONA (1297)
Third Order
Margaret of Cortona: Margaret was a beautiful woman who
was the mistress of a young nobleman for nine years and bore
him a child. In these years she had doubts about her situation,
but, like St. Augustine, she prayed for purity—but not just yet.
One day she found her lover murdered, and the crime turned her
to a life of penance; she became a tertiary in 1277. Some
doubted the sincerity of her repentance. Despite continuing
skepticism and slander, she founded a hospital, cared for the
sick, and converted many by her prayers and counsel.
Collect: God of mercy, give us grace that we may truly
repent of our sins following the example of your servant,
Margaret of Cortona, and that, by a living faith, we may
obtain full forgiveness; through the merits of Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
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MAY 17
PASCHAL BAYLON (1592)
First Order
Paschal Baylon: Paschal was born in Spain in 1540 and spent
his youth working as a shepherd. Even in the fields he was
devout and attentive to the church bell that rang at the elevation
during Mass. In 1564 he joined the Friars Minor and, though
urged to become a priest, he preferred to remain a lay brother
and worked as porter, cook, gardener, and official beggar, but
spent his spare time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. He
died in 1592.
Collect: O God, you filled your servant Paschal with a
wondrous love for the sacred Mysteries of the Body and
Blood of your Son; Grant that we may obtain the same
spiritual enrichment which he received from this heavenly
banquet. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who
lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever. Amen.

MAY 28
MARIANA OF JESUS DE PAREDES (1645)
Mariana was born in Quito, Ecuador, and, having lost her
parents as a youngster, she dedicated herself to God. Unable to
enter a monastery, she embraced the ascetic life in her own
home devoting herself to prayer, fasting, and other pious works.
After joining the Third Order, she endeavored also to aid the
native Indians and African-Americans in all kinds of charitable
undertakings. God also favored Mariana with extraordinary
mystical gifts: with the sign of the Cross or by sprinkling holy
water, she restored many of the sick to health, and she raised a
dead woman to life. After her death, a beautiful lily sprouted
forth from her blood, and so she has been styled the “Lily of
Quito.”

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Collect: Heavenly Father, you were pleased to have

Mariana grow like a lily amid the thorns of the world’s
allurements. Through her example may we be kept from
vice and strive after perfection; through Jesus Christ, your
Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one
God, forever and ever. Amen.

MAY 30
JOAN OF ARC (1431)
Third Order Patron of France
Joan of Arc, the “Maid of Orleans,” was called to lead the
French armies during the Hundred Years’ War with England.
Her bravery, the visions and angelic voices of counsel that
motivated her, and the treachery that betrayed and handed her
over to the English who burned her at the stake, have captured
the imagination of even the most skeptical of writers (Bernard
Shaw in St. Joan and Mark Twain in The Story of Joan of Arc).
Joan was a member of the Third Order, who left a peaceful life
as a peasant’s daughter and shepherd to do God’s bidding.
Collect: O God, who wondrously raised up blessed Joan
for the protection of her faith and homeland: Grant that by
your grace her example may enable your Church to
overcome all the devices of her enemies and to rejoice in
unity and concord. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

MAY OR JUNE:
THURSDAY AFTER TRINITY SUNDAY
CORPUS CHRISTI
DAY OF THANKSGIVING FOR THE EUCHARIST
Collect: Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you that in this
wonderful sacrament you have given us the memorial of
your passion: Grant us so to reverence the sacred mysteries
of your body and blood that we may know within ourselves
and show forth in our lives the fruits of your redemption;
for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.

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Day of Thanksgiving for the Eucharist

Eucharist: 1 Corinthians 11:23-9
John 6: 47-55
1st EP: Psalms 23, 42, 43
Exodus 16: 2-15
John 6: 22-35
MP: Psalms 81, 147:13-21
Exodus 24:1-11
Mark 14:12-25
2nd EP: Psalms 110, 111, 116:10-17
Deuteronomy 8:2-16
John 6: 51-8

BEGINNING THE THURSDAY AFTER TRINITY

SUNDAY, THE FEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTI
SOLEMN NOVENA
NINE DAYS OF PRAYER FOR SPECIAL INTENTIONS
OF THE THIRD ORDER
Thursday: Thanksgiving for the Holy Eucharist; for the
Poor Clares and their life of adoration.
Friday: Thanksgiving for our Bishop Protector and for all
bishops.
Saturday: Thanksgiving for the Blessed Virgin Mary, the
Community of St. Francis and the Order of St Clare.
Sunday: Thanksgiving for the Third Order; for our
Minister General, Provincial Ministers, Chapters and
pastoral officers.
Monday: Thanksgiving for the associates, with
thanksgiving for their Franciscan witness.
Tuesday: Thanksgiving for the SSF friars and their work,
especially for the friaries and houses of the American
Province.
Wednesday: Thanksgiving for all departed friars, nuns,
tertiaries, associates, and benefactors.
Thursday: Thanksgiving for those in authority in the
Society of St. Francis, especially the Ministers
General, the Provincial Ministers, the Reverend
Mothers and Sisters-in-Charge of the Poor Clares, and
the heads of houses.
Friday: Thanksgiving for the love of Christ, for vocations
to our three Orders.
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JUNE 3

POPE JOHN 23RD (1963)

Third Order
Pope John 23rd: Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, Patriarch of
Venice, was elected Pope in 1958 at the age of 77. During the
four and one-half years of his pontificate he exercised a
profound influence for good upon the church and the world. He
convened the Second Vatican Council in 1962, and though he
died before the Council finished its work, it carried his lifelong
vision of a pastoral church to the corners of the world. He also
made the College of Cardinals far more international in
representation than it had ever been. The son of a farmer, he
was born in northern Italy and became a Franciscan tertiary at
the age of 14. As Pope, he said to the members of the Franciscan
Orders (quoting the words of Joseph in Egypt): “I am Joseph
(Giuseppe) your brother.” He was the Pope of aggiornmento –
the opening of the Church to speak more clearly and witness
more deeply to the twentieth century. He was trusted and loved
by so many, both inside and outside the Church, for his
humility, warmth, humor, and genuine holiness.
Collect: O lord, strengthen in us the holy simplicity of your
servant Pope John 23rd, and grant that we may ever follow
the light of your Holy Spirit for the renewal of your church;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

JUNE 13
ANTHONY OF PADUA (1231)
First Order
Anthony of Padua: Anthony was inspired by the first
Franciscan martyrs to become a friar and travel to Morocco as
a missionary, but sickness compelled him to return. However,
when his biblical scholarship and unusual gift for preaching
were discovered, he was appointed tutor in theology to the
Order with the approval of Francis. In the last years of his life,
he was released from this office to devote himself to preaching,
through which he touched the learned no less than the simple.

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Collect: O God, you called blessed Anthony to preach the

Gospel of Christ to the poor and to follow the example of
our Father Francis in poverty: Grant that we and all your
people may follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and at the
last come to everlasting joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and forever. Amen.

JUNE 19
MATT TALBOT (1925)
Third Order
Matt Talbot: Born in Dublin, Matt began to drink heavily as a
teenager, and, for fifteen years, he was a very active alcoholic.
One day he decided to take “the pledge” for three months, make
a general confession, and begin attending daily Eucharist. His
first seven years after taking the pledge were extremely
difficult, but he began to pray as intensely as he had formerly
drunk. He paid back all those from whom he had borrowed or
stolen money. For most of his life, he worked as a builder’s
laborer, and he joined the Third Order, initiating a life of strict
penance. In 1923 his health failed, and he was forced to quit
work. He died on his way to church on Trinity Sunday.
Collect: Almighty God, grant us, with blessed Matt Talbot,
to arrive at the perfection of humility by despising the
world yet loving all people; despising our sins, yet
accepting your forgiveness. We ask this in the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

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JUNE 22
THOMAS MORE, PATRON OF LAWYERS AND
UNIVERSITY STUDENTS (1535)
THIRD ORDER
Thomas More was a lawyer whose services, though constantly
in demand, were always tempered with attendance at daily
Eucharist and other pious practices. Around 1498, he became a
member of the Third Order. As a father, he was concerned that
his children grow up in a Christian atmosphere. Beginning in
1518, Thomas was Henry VIII’s Chancellor for eleven years,
and he became known and respected throughout Europe. When
Henry sought divorce, remarriage to Anne Boleyn, and
Parliamentary designation as Head of the Church in England in
the Act of Supremacy, Thomas resigned. Unable to swear to the
Act, Thomas was imprisoned in the Tower for fifteen months
and then beheaded after being condemned on perjured
evidence.
Collect: God of love, who gave your servant Thomas More
a gentleness of spirit and a firmness of faith: Strengthen us
in holding to your truth that at the last, we may ever live
and love together with all your saints in heaven; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

JULY 3
RAMON LLULL (1315)
Third Order
Ramon Llull: Ramon Llull was born of noble parents in Palma
in about 1235 and spent his youth at the royal court serving as
majordomo. As his awareness of the emptiness of the world
increased, he joined the Franciscan Third Order and founded a
college to teach Franciscan missionaries various languages,
particularly Arabic, so that they could preach the Gospel to
unbelievers. He then spent nine years as a recluse and the next
forty advancing the cause of Christ by founding seminaries and
by serving as a missionary himself. In Bougie in Africa, he was
stoned and left for dead, but some sailors took him on board
their ship. He died as they sighted Majorca on June 19, 1315.

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Collect: Almighty God, you adorned Ramon Llull with a

zeal for spreading the faith. Grant that, aided by his
prayers, we may firmly keep until death the faith we have
received by your grace. This we ask in the name of your
Son Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you in the unity
of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

JULY 7
MARY CHRISTINE (LILY DORSET GRAY) (1932)
Founder of the Second Order in the U.S.A.
Mary Christine: Lily Dorset Gray was the first Poor Clare in
the Episcopal Church of the U.S.A. After receiving her training
with the sisters of St. Anne, she made her vows and took the
name in religion of Mary Christine. There was no room for an
enclosure at the Order’s first convent, called House of Prayer,
in Merrill, Wisconsin. It was not until Mother Mary Christine’s
death in 1932 that enclosure was established by her successor,
Mother Mary Veronica, in the convent at Mount Sinai, New
York.

Collect: Loving God, we thank you for the hidden lives of

prayer and contemplation of our Poor Clares, and
especially the examples of Mother Mary Christine and
Mother Mary Veronica. Give us grace to continue, faithful
to the vocation to which you have called us; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
JULY 8
ELIZABETH OF PORTUGAL (1336)
Third Order
Elizabeth of Portugal was named after her great-aunt
(Elizabeth of Hungary, November 19). Elizabeth was married
at the age of 12 to King Denis of Portugal. Although Denis was
an effective ruler, he was a bad husband. Elizabeth suffered
much from his neglect and infidelities. However, she remained
a devoted wife and combined a life of deep prayer with service
to the poor and needy. She is best remembered for her role as a
reconciler and peacemaker, since she settled many a family
feud by her tact and humility. After Denis’s death, she spent her
last days living as a Franciscan tertiary.
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Collect: Most merciful God, who among many excellent

gifts bestowed on blessed Queen Elizabeth peculiar grace
to allay the violence of war: Grant us grace to be guided by
her example to attain in this life that peace for which we
humbly pray and by your grace attain hereafter to eternal
felicity; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

JULY 15
BONAVENTURE (1274)
First Order Friar
Bonaventure: “When I was a young man…I was at death’s
door, and I was saved only by his intercession.” So wrote
Bonaventure of Francis. It was not surprising that at an early
age he became a Franciscan. He taught theology at Paris,
becoming one of the greatest theologians of his time, but he
would always emphasize that a fool’s love and knowledge of
God may be greater than that of a wise person. In 1257, he was
appointed Minister General and had the task of reforming and
consolidating the Order in the face of internal dissension and
external hostility. His work on the life of Francis was approved
by the Order in 1266 as the definitive life of its founder.
In 1273, he was made a cardinal and took part in the Council of
Lyons, which sought to reconcile the churches of the East and
West.
Collect: O God, you endowed blessed Bonaventure with
apostolic zeal to preach the Gospel to the poor and added
to your Church wisdom by his learning: May we who
venerate his holy life profit by the example of his virtue;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
MP: Ps 21, 92
Sirach 15:1-6
1 Timothy 4:1-5
HE: Ps 16
1 Cor 2:6-16
Matthew 5:13-19
HE: Ps. 15, 112
1 Kings 3:1-14
Mark 4:1-9

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JULY 19
FOUNDING OF TSSF (1917) THE AMERICAN
CONGREGATION
Founding of TSSF: The American Congregation of the Third
Order Secular began July 19, 1917 by the investiture of two
novices in the Chapel of our Lady and St. Clare, located in the
Convent of Our Lady, Help of Christians, in Cincinnati, OH
(the initial convent of the Poor Clares). Fr. Joseph, ordained
Claude Crookston (see March 7), conducted the service in the
presence of the recent novices (July 15) of the First and Second
Orders. By December 30, 1917, eighteen men and women had
become novices in our Third Order. Meanwhile, the attempts of
the Friars’ and Sisters’ life failed until 1919 and 1922,
respectively, when their ways of life were permanently
established. Of the eighteen original Tertiaries, some
persevered and some did not, but the Third Order has steadily
developed its life and its understanding of the Franciscan
vocation.

Collect: O God, we thank you for having joined to the

Society of St. Francis a Third Order, dedicated to your
service. Grant, we pray, that being knit together in the spirit
of love and unity, we your servants may glorify your holy
name after the example of St. Francis and win others to
your love, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

JULY 23
BRIDGET OF SWEDEN (1373)
Third Order
Bridget: Although Bridget wanted to consecrate her virginity
to her Lord, in obedience to her father she married Prince Ulf,
a young man of solid virtue. Both joined the Third Order in
order to strengthen themselves in the works of piety and the
practice of penance. God blessed their marriage with eight
children, whom Bridget raised in the fear of God. Her care of
the poor and infirm was one of her outstanding charities. After
her husband’s death, she divided her estate among her children
and the poor, clothed herself in coarse garments, and began to
live a very austere life. At age 70 she was struck by an illness
that lasted a year, and she died on the day she predicted in 1373.
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Collect: Almighty God, who through your Son revealed to

blessed Bridget the secrets of the kingdom of heaven,
grant, we pray, that we your servants may rejoice with
Bridget in the revelation of your everlasting glory, through
Christ our Lord. Amen.

AUGUST 2
OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS OF THE
PORTIUNCULA
Our Lady of the Angels: In the first centuries of the Christian
era, hermits from Palestine built an oratory called St. Mary of
the Angels. This oratory, with its small plot of land at the foot
of the mountain on which Assisi is situated, was given to St.
Benedict in the 6th century. This oratory was the first to be
restored by the converted Francis and is regarded as the
birthplace of the Franciscan Order and the Poor Clares and the
place of Francis’ death.
Collect: Father, as we honor the glorious memory of the
Virgin Mary, Queen of the Angels, we ask that with her
prayers we, too, may come to the fullness of your grace.
This we ask in the Name of your Son, Jesus Christ our
Savior, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the
Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
AUGUST 4
JOHN VIANNEY, CURE D’ARS (1859)
Third Order
John Vianney, known as the Cure d’Ars, was only accepted for
ordination after a long struggle, for he found academic study
extremely hard. He became a parish priest of the remote and
backward village of Ars in 1818 where he remained until he
died. He transformed the whole spiritual and moral life of the
community by his preaching, love, and holiness. His fame as a
confessor spread, and from far and wide people came to him for
his simple and straightforward guidance (in the last years, over
20,000 people visited him yearly). Some of his fellow clergy
judged him mentally deranged. The bishop, however, replied:
“I wish that all my clergy had a touch of the same madness.”

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Collect: God of love, who filled your servant John Vianney

with zeal as a priest, pastor, and confessor: help us, by your
grace, to win all our brothers and sisters for Christ and to
share with them in eternal glory; through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.

AUGUST 9
MARIANNE COPE OF MOLOKAI (1918)
Third Order
Marianne: In 1883, a decade after Father Damian began to
serve as chaplain of the leper colony at Molokai, Mother
Marianne personally led a group of fellow sisters of the Third
Order Regular to work among the lepers in Hawaii. This was
the first time a religious order founded in the United States
entered upon mission work in a foreign land. These first sisters
were followed by others, and from 1883 to 1888, under Mother
Marianne’s guidance, twelve sisters cared for lepers and other
sick and the female children of lepers at Honolulu, Oahu, and
Wailuku, Maui. In 1888, Mother Marianne went to Molokai to
take charge of the Boys’ Home, and in 1895 until her death 23
years later, she was in charge of the Bishop Home for women
and girls at the Kalaupapa settlement on Molokai.
Collect: O God, fill us with your grace that, when you call
us to your service, we may answer with your servant
Marianne Cope, “I am hungry for the work, and I wish with
all my heart to be one of the chosen ones whose privilege
it will be to sacrifice themselves for the salvation of souls.”
This we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(paraphrase of Mother Marianne’s letter of July 12, 1883 accepting work
among the lepers of Hawaii)

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AUGUST 9
DESMOND LIONEL MORSE-BOYCOTT (1979)
Third Order
Fr. Desmond, as he was known, served at the church of St.
Mary’s, Somers Town in an impoverished area of London. He
would venture out at night and mingle with the young men on
the street corners whom he found playing cards and gambling.
He took what food he could spare and shared it with them.
These boys eventually became the foundation of Fr. Desmond’s
choir and school. He left his position at the parish to found the
school where boys could be educated and trained to sing in the
choir. He also served as leader of the Custodia (Third Order
Fellowship) in London for many years. The school he founded
helped into life 268 boys, 22 men were helped into the
priesthood and 3 became professional musicians. The choir
traveled 106,286 miles in tours. Fr. Desmond died August 9,
1979.
Collect: Gracious God, you have given us the gift of
music to sing your praise and have called us to serve the
poor and bring the little children to you: Grant that we,
after the example of your servant, Desmond Lionel
Morse-Boycott, may praise you with our lips and with our
lives as your servants, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
AUGUST 11
CLARE (1253)
Founder of the Second Order
Clare: On Palm Sunday of 1212, 17-year-old Clare escaped
from the home of her noble parents in Assisi to join St. Francis.
After receiving her vows in religion, cutting off her hair, and
giving her a habit to replace her satin finery, Francis placed her
in a Benedictine convent. Soon he was able to establish her in
the church and convent of San Damiano, where she lived for
more than 40 years as head of a community of contemplative
nuns. Her sister Agnes and her mother became part of her
religious order, which spread even in Clare’s lifetime to
Germany and Bohemia. Clare is said to have routed the soldiers
of Frederick II by her faith in the Blessed Sacrament.

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The bond of love between Francis and Clare was strong and
significant, though they saw each other only rarely. The
example of their love for God, each other, and the whole family
of God informs and inspires all Franciscan orders to this day.
Clare died two days after receiving the Pope’s approval of her
rule binding the Poor Clares to the Franciscan ideal of complete
poverty.
Collect: God of peace, who in the holiness of blessed Clare
gave us a clear light to shine in the darkness of this world:
Give us grace so to follow in her footsteps that we may, at
the last, rejoice with her in your eternal glory; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
HE: Song of Solomon 2:10-13
Psalm 63:1-8 or 34: 1-8
Luke 12: 32-37
1st EP: Psalms 27, 113 MP: Psalms 27, 113
Song of Solomon 8: 3-7a Ecclesiasticus 2:1-0
Revelation 19:1-9 Matthew 11:44-51
2nd EP: Psalms 61, 66
Isaiah 54: 1-8
Matthew 11: 25-30
AUGUST 14
MAXIMILIAN KOLBE (1941)
First Order Friar
Maximilian Kolbe: This Polish priest of the Order of Friars
Minor Conventual and founder of the Militia of Mary
Immaculate was imprisoned in Auschwitz by the Nazis in May
of 1941. Dr. Joseph Stemler, another prisoner, remembered:
“Like many others, I crawled at night in the infirmary on the
bare floor to the bed of Father Maximilian. The greeting was
moving…‘Hatred is not creative,’ he whispered to me. ‘Our
sorrow is necessary that those who live after us may be happy.’”
An escape from the camp resulted in ten prisoners being
condemned to death by starvation. Maximilian stepped forward
to take the place of one of the condemned who had a wife and
children. He was permitted to do so, and ministered to his
fellow sufferers in their long agony. After three weeks, the
camp executioner killed Maximilian and the three remaining
survivors with injections of carbolic acid.

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Collect: All powerful and everliving God, we praise you

who can turn our weakness into strength. As you called
Maximilian to give his life for a brother and to always have
faith in the final victory of good: Grant us the grace to live
in faithful witness to you, even unto death, for our brothers
and sisters. We ask this in the name of Jesus, our only
mediator and advocate. Amen

AUGUST 17
ROCH OF MONTPELLIER (1327)
Third Order
Roch: The only son of a nobleman, he was raised in a devout
manner. At age 20 when both his parents died, he sold all his
goods, gave the proceeds to the poor, became a member of the
Third Order, and began a pilgrimage to Rome. As he journeyed
to Rome, Roch encountered towns ravaged by epidemics. In
each town, Roch offered his services, working day and night to
care for the sick. Finally when he himself became sick, aid was
refused to him since he was “an outsider.” Roch nursed himself
in the forest sustained by food brought to him by a dog. Upon
recovery, he was inspired by God to return to his home,
Montpellier. But he found a town ravaged this time by war, and,
mistaken for a spy by his own uncle, he was cast into prison and
forgotten for five years. After receiving the last sacraments and
dying, a tablet appeared on the wall on which appeared in
golden letters the name of Roch, with the prediction that all who
would invoke his intercessions would be delivered from the
plague.
Collect: O God, who granted to Roch of Montpellier the
promise not to permit anyone who sought his intercession
to be afflicted with a contagious disease: Grant that we,
who celebrate his memory, may be preserved from every
contagion of soul and body; through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

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AUGUST 25
LOUIS IX (1270)
Patron of the Third Order
Louis IX personified the highest ideals of a medieval Christian
ruler. From the time he began his rule, Louis was the ideal
monarch: sincerely religious, but not a bigot; impartial and
merciful in administering justice, insisting on each person’s
rights; an acute and trustworthy statesman. He was able to
reconcile kingly power with great simplicity and poverty of
spirit. Above all, the quality he most valued, and which he
himself possessed, was integrity. He is honored as a shining
light of the Third Order and is one of our patron saints (the
others being Francis, Clare, and Elizabeth of Hungary).
Collect: O God, you called your servant Louis of France to
an earthly throne that he might advance your heavenly
kingdom, and gave him zeal for your Church and love for
your people: Mercifully grant that we who commemorate
him this day may be fruitful in good works, and attain to
the glorious crown of your saints; through Jesus Christ our
Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen
HE: Gal. 6:14-18 MP: Psalms 71, 84
Psalm 37: 24-33 Ecclesiasticus 39: 5-11
Matthew 16: 24-27 Luke 10: 1-16
1st EP: Psalms 27, 42 2nd EP: Psalms 121, 124, 142
Exodus 24: 12-28 Isaiah 6: 1-8
Matthew 5: 1-12 John 11: 20-41
SEPTEMBER 5
JOHN BRADBURNE OF MUTEMWA (1979)
Third Order
John Bradburne, the son of an Anglican priest, was born in
England in 1921. In 1947 he was received into the Roman
Catholic Church and shortly afterwards joined the Third Order
of St. Francis. In 1969 he became warden of the Leprosy
Settlement at Mutemwa. With great joy he loved and cared for
the patients and lifted them out of their state of squalor and
neglect. However the war in Zimbabwe made his work
increasingly difficult. One night he was abducted by a guerrilla
band.

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It was said that their commander set him free, but on the way
home he was shot in the back by those who wanted him out of
the way. His memorial at Silviera House near Harrare describes
him as a poet, mystic, music maker, and God’s jester.
Collect: Heavenly Father, you inspired Francis to write,
“Blessed are those who endure to the end, for you, Most
High Father, they shall be crowned. Praised are you, my
Lord, through Sister Death, who dwells even now within
our bodies, and whose final loving embrace no one can
avoid. There will be great sorrow and anguish for those
who die in mortal sin. But full of joy are those found to be
in your will at their death. For the second death cannot
harm them.” Grant that we may be inspired by his example
just as John Bradburne was; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen. (Canticle of the Sun, excerpt)
SEPTEMBER 7
BROTHER DOUGLAS (1957)
First Order Friar
Brother Douglas, founder of the Society of St. Francis, joined
a mission to tramps while still a student at Oxford, and his
ministry to vagrants continued for a lifetime. After ordination
he served as a curate in a London parish where he could extend
hospitality to homeless men. After six years of teaching in India
and stints as army and university chaplain, he founded a Home
for Vagrants at Bacombe in Dorset while serving the parishes
of St. Ebbe’s and St. Aldate’s. For twenty years he modeled
ministry to wayfarers. The Order of the Brotherhood of St.
Francis was the result of this ministry, which attracted young
men seeking the revival of Franciscan life in the Church of
England.
Collect: Lord God, you came among us as a servant. Fill
us with your humility that we may, like Francis our brother
and Douglas our founder, forget ourselves in love for you
and in compassion for others; and in the lonely, the
rejected, the deprived and the imprisoned, find Christ our
Lord, in whose name we pray. Amen.

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SEPTEMBER 11
MYCHAL JUDGE (2001)
Friar and Chaplain
Mychal Judge was born Robert Emmett Judge on May 11,
1933 in Brooklyn, New York. As a child, to earn income
following his father’s death, he shined shoes at Penn Station
from where he would visit St. Francis of Assisi Church, located
across the street. Seeing the Franciscan friars there he
determined he wanted to be a friar. He made his first vows in
1955. He served in various parishes and was finally assigned
to St. Francis Church back in Manhattan in 1986. In 1992 he
was appointed a chaplain to the New York City Fire
Department. On September 11, upon learning that the World
Trade Center had been hit by the first of two jetliners, he rushed
to the site. He administered Last Rites and offered prayer and
aid to rescuers, the injured and the dead. When the South Tower
collapsed at 9:49, Judge was killed from flying debris.

Collect: Loving Father, whose son Jesus, said that the sign
of love, was to lay down one’s life for a friend; we give
you thanks for the life and witness of Mychal Judge. We
pray that we, being inspired by his witness, will serve you
in the lives of those you place before us. We pray in Jesus
name. Amen.

SEPTEMBER 17
THE STIGMATA OF ST. FRANCIS (1224)
The Stigmata: From the beginning, Francis had a great
devotion and veneration for Christ crucified and never ceased
to preach this devotion till his death. In the year 1224, two years
before his death, as he was rapt in deep prayer and fasting on
Mt. Alverna, Christ the Lord by a stupendous miracle imprinted
the marks of the five wounds of his passion on Francis’s body
(for more detail see “Part Two” of The Little Flowers of St.
Francis).

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Collect: O Lord Jesus Christ, when the world was growing

cold you raised up blessed Francis bearing in his body the
marks of your passion, to enflame our hearts with the fire
of your love: Mercifully grant us your people true
repentance and the grace to bear your Cross for love of you,
who live and reign with the Father and the Holy spirit, one
God for ever and ever. Amen.
HE: Galatians 6:14-18 MP: Psalms 71, 150
Psalm 37: 24-33 1 Kings 19: 1-12
Matthew 16: 24-27 Luke 10: 1-16
1st EP: Psalm 42 2nd EP: Psalms 27, 121
Exodus 24: 12-28 Isaiah 6: 1-8
Matthew 5:1-12 John 12: 20-41

SEPTEMBER 23
EMILY GARDNER NEAL (1989)
Tertiary
Emily had a successful career as a journalist publishing over
50 articles in popular magazines. However, Emily’s life was
changed dramatically after attending a healing service – an
event that she described in her first book, A Reporter Finds
God through Spiritual Healing (1956). From then on, she
became a lecturer and counselor on the subject of spiritual
healing. In 1961 she was appointed to the Joint Commission
on the Ministry of Healing, and she wrote the commission’s
report to the 1964 General Convention. She always resisted
the label of “healer” in reference to her work and preferred to
say that she was simply an “enabler of healing” or “an
instrument that is used for God’s healing.” The Episcopal
Healing Ministry Foundation was founded in her honor in
1987, and she was its first president.
Collect: Almighty God, who led Emily Gardner Neal
from skepticism to a ministry of spiritual healing, we ask
that you graciously continue in your Church this love and
power to heal, through Jesus Christ who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

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OCTOBER 3
EVE OF THE FEAST OF ST. FRANCIS
The Transitus – see on page 76 or 77
OCTOBER 4
FEAST OF ST. FRANCIS (1226)
Founder of the First Order
Feast of St. Francis: “At the time of St. Francis’ death, when
it was already dusk, a great flock of larks gathered over the
building, although they normally prefer the light of day and
avoid the shades of night. There they remained, flying about
and singing with unusual joy, clearly testifying by the
sweetness of their song to the glory of the saint who had so often
called upon them to praise God.” (from Major Life of St.
Francis, by St. Bonaventure)
Collect: O God, you ever delight to reveal yourself to the
childlike and lowly of heart: Grant that, following the
example of the blessed Francis, we may count the wisdom
of this world as foolishness and know only Jesus Christ and
him crucified; who is alive and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
HE: Galatians 6:14-18 MP: Psalms 71, 150
Psalm 148: 7-14 or 121 1 Kings 19: 1-12
Matthew 11: 25-30 Luke 10: 1-16
1st EP: Psalms 42 2nd EP: Psalms 27, 121
Exodus 24: 12-28 Isaiah 6: 1-8
Matthew 5:1-12 John 12: 20-41

NOVEMBER 3
HUGO MULLER (1985)
Third Order
The Rev. Hugo Muller was a tertiary serving in the far north
of Quebec among the Cree People. He wrote three books about
his experience including books of songs and poems celebrating
the inland Cree people and culture. He advocated on behalf of
the people, especially in opposing the James Bay Project, a
multi-billion dollar hydroelectric development, which
threatened Cree land and culture.

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Collect: Great Spirit, you are the creator of all peoples and
nations. We give thanks for the witness and ministry of
Hugo Muller, servant of the Cree people. We pray that we
may see all people of infinite value and preciousness in
your sight, and that we would speak the Good News of
Jesus in the language of God’s love, in Christ’s Name.
Amen.

NOVEMBER 8
JOHN DUNS SCOTUS (1308)
First Order
John Duns Scotus has been one of the most influential
Franciscans through the centuries. In 1280 he received the habit
of the Friars Minor and studied at Oxford and Paris until he was
ordained in 1291. In 1297 he returned to Oxford and Cambridge
to lecture. John pointed out the richness of the Augustinian-
Franciscan tradition, appreciated the wisdom of Aquinas,
Aristotle, and the Moslem philosophers, and still managed to be
an independent thinker. In 1304 he was awarded his doctorate.
Soon the fame of his genius and learning spread abroad, and
students came in great numbers.
Father Charles Balic, O.F.M., the foremost 20th-century
authority on Duns Scotus, has written: “The whole of Scotus’s
theology is dominated by the notion of love. The characteristic
note of this love is its absolute freedom. As love becomes more
perfect and intense, freedom becomes more noble and integral
in God and in man.”
Collect: Dear Lord Jesus, let us never deny any of the gifts
and talents you have bequeathed us. For just as surely as
you led Francis to burn books to humble those who rested
only on human intellect, let us profit by the example of
John Duns Scotus who used his intellect and books to
serve, praise, and explore the relationship we have with
you. Amen.

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NOVEMBER 19
ELIZABETH OF HUNGARY (1231)
Patron of the Third Order
Elizabeth of Hungary, daughter of the King of Hungary,
married a German prince at the age of 14. Though a politically
arranged marriage, it was one of loving contentment, but her
husband died six years later. During the marriage, Elizabeth
gave much of her time and her kingdom’s money to charity and
hospital work. While in deep grief, she was driven from her
home by relatives fearful she would further deplete the
kingdom’s treasury by her charity work. She settled with her
children in very tough circumstances in Marburg. She was
determined to devote the remainder of her life to God, and so
she renounced her wealth, joined the Third Order, corresponded
copiously with Clare, and gave herself to the care of the poor
and sick. She is remembered as the princess who made
garments for those in need and went fishing to get them food.
Collect: Merciful God, who helped Elizabeth of Hungary
recognize and honor Jesus in the poor: Grant that we may
use the prosperity of this present world for the glory of your
eternal Kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
HE: Tobit 12: 6b-9 EP Psalm 122, 127
Psalm 146: 4-9 or 112: 1-9 Philippians 4:6-13
Matthew 25: 31-40 Matthew 25:31-40
MP: Psalm 45
Proverbs 31: 10-31
Romans 12: 1-13

NOVEMBER 19
AGNES OF ASSISI (1253)
Poor Clare
Agnes was the sister of Clare and her first follower. Together
they established the community at San Damiano, against the
will of their family. Later a group of Benedictine nuns asked to
become a community of their Order, and Agnes was sent to be
their Abbess. She went on to establish other monasteries in
northern Italy, returning to Assisi when Clare was dying. She
herself followed Clare in death three months later.

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Collect: O God, whose blessed Son became poor that we,

through his poverty might become rich: we thank you for
your servant Agnes, who was the first person to follow her
sister Clare in a life of poverty and to later establish other
monasteries through northern Italy; grant that all who
continue in her footsteps may enjoy the riches of the age
to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and
ever. Amen.

NOVEMBER 21
H. BAXTER LIEBLER (1982)
Tertiary
H. Baxter Liebler was ordained to the priesthood on the Feast
of St. Francis in 1914. He invited Fr. Joseph (founder of TSSF),
a seminary classmate, to visit his parish in Riverside,
Connecticut. During the visit, he was entered as a Novice and
began his Franciscan journey. After a trip to Utah, he moved to
Bluff, Utah in 1943, founding St. Christopher’s mission to the
Navajo. In a log-constructed cabin, the mission was the first
medical facility to treat tuberculosis and trachoma among the
Navajo in Utah. Fr. Liebler was known as endeshoodií to the
Navajos –“one whose robe drags on the ground.” He wore his
hair in the traditional Navajo bun and learned to pray and lead
worship in Navajo. He served the mission for 40 years, after
which he retired in nearby Oljeto, close to Monument Valley.
Collect: Holy God, you called your servant H. Baxter
Liebler to walk among the Navajo people, to learn their
ways, and to share with them the love of God in Jesus and
the power of the Spirit; Grant us grace to be guided by his
example of servanthood and openness, that we may walk
in beauty with you, with all people and with creation. We
ask this in the name of Jesus, our friend and brother. Amen

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NOVEMBER 23
FATHER ALGY ROBERTSON (1955)
Founder of the Society of St. Francis
Father Algy Robertson went to India in 1927 to join Christa
Seva Sangha, a Christian ashram. The goal of CSS was a “life
of common service and equal fellowship for Indians and
Europeans” and the development of Indian ways for expressing
Christian life and worship. Ill health forced Algy to return to
England in 1930. As vicar of St. Ives in Huntingdonshire, he
started the Brotherhood of the Love of Christ, a community
based on the rule of CSS. The Brotherhood was one of three
communities that merged to become the Society of St. Francis.
Algy succeeded Douglas as Father Minister of the Society.
Collect: Maker of all, you helped the blessed Francis to
reflect the image of Christ through a life of poverty and
humility. By walking in his footsteps, and imitating his
joyful love, may we, with Brother Algy founder of the
Society of St. Francis, follow faithfully the pattern of your
Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
NOVEMBER 29
ALL FRANCISCAN SAINTS
Collect: Everlasting God, you have adorned your Church
with the splendors of the saintly followers of our holy
father Francis: Grant that as we commemorate their
holiness we may come at last with all the pure of heart to
share the vision of your eternal glory; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
All Franciscan Saints
Eucharist: Ecclesiasticus 44: 1, 10-15
Psalm 149
Mark 10: 17-21
MP: Psalms 33, 117 EP: Psalm 145
Ecclesiasticus 2: 10-7 Wisdom 3:1-9
Luke 9: 18-27 Rev. 21:1-4, 22:1-5

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DECEMBER 1
REQUIEM FOR ALL DEPARTED FRANCISCANS
Collect: O God, whose mercies cannot be numbered,
accept our prayers on behalf of all the sons and daughters
of St. Francis now departed this life, and grant them an
entrance into the land of light and joy, in the fellowship of
your saints. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
forever. Amen.

Requiem for All Departed Franciscans

Eucharist: Isaiah 61: 1-3
Psalm 130
John 6: 37-40
MP: Psalms 42, 43 EP: Psalms 6, 47
Isaiah 10: 33- 11:9 Isaiah 2:1-5
Ephesians 2: 13-18 John 16:23-33

DECEMBER 15
MARY FRANCES SCHERVIER (1876)
Tertiary
Mary Frances Schervier became a Third Order Franciscan in
1844, and the following year she and four companions
established a Religious community. Their work was to care for
the poor, particularly in hospitals and homes for the aged. The
community became known as the ‘Franciscan Sisters of the
Poor,’ and spread beyond France to the rest of Europe, the US,
and throughout the world.
Collect: Loving God, who through Mary Frances
Schervier and the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor, spread
that love by caring for those in hospitals and homes for the
aged, help us, we pray, to follow her example through
Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit,
lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

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DECEMBER 24
JACOPONE DA TODI (1306)
Friar, Poet
Jacopone was born in the 1230’s, became a successful lawyer
and married the beautiful and noble Vanna di Berardino di
Guidone. She was tragically killed when, at a party, the balcony
on which she and others were dancing collapsed. Driven nearly
out of his mind by grief, Jacopone became a homeless penitent,
eventually ending up as a Friar Minor. His support for the
Franciscan Spirituals and their rigorous interpretation of the
Rule, led to his imprisonment by Pope Boniface VIII. He died
three years after his release, on Christmas Eve, at a monastery
of Poor Clares.
Collect: Almighty and everlasting God, whose care for
our well-being enabled Jacopone da Todi to use his grief
as the motivation to become a Fransican spiritual and to
bear resentment help us as well to seek your help no matter
what difficulties we might face, through our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ, who dwells with you and the Holy
Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.

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PRAYERS FOR THE

SOCIETY OF SAINT
FRANCIS

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For the Society

O God, who has joined in the Society of St. Francis three

Orders dedicated to your service: Grant, we pray, that being
knit together in the spirit of love and unity, we your servants
may glorify your holy Name after the example of our patrons
and win others to your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

God, your love led Francis and Clare to establish our three
Orders. Draw us into your love, that, in its perfection, we may
grow in love toward all with whom we have to do; for the sake
of your Son, Jesus Christ, who gives himself in love to all.
Amen.

For the First Order

Grant, O God, that as your servant Francis carried the love and
peace of Christ into the hearts of all who knew him, so may
those who seek to follow his example shower abroad that
same love and peace in the minds of all and in all places on
earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O Lord Jesus, you were lifted up upon the Cross to be the

Savior of sinners: We ask that you bless the friars and sisters
of our time. Grant that they may serve you in humility, love,
and joy and draw many souls to know and follow you, who
now lives and reigns, with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
world without end. Amen.

For the Second Order

Lord God, pour your abundant blessing on those who, after the
pattern of blessed Clare, have left all to follow you in a life of
poverty, prayer, and penance; assist them with your grace that
they may persevere in their vocation to the end and that all
their needs may be supplied; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

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For the Third Order

Lord God, who opened the eyes of blessed Francis to the

vocation of those you call to serve you in the world; grant
such grace to the members of the Third Order that, being
crucified with Christ, we may show forth all the radiance of
his risen life; who with you and the Holy Spirit is alive and
reigns, one God, now and forever. Amen.

O God, we ask your blessing on the Third Order of the Society

of St. Francis. Endue the Sisters and Brothers of Penitence
with apostolic might, that, loving Jesus with all our hearts, and
faithfully following his holy gospel, we may persevere in
devotion and good works until we are gathered together at
your right hand; through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

O God, you have joined to the Society of St. Francis a Third

Order, dedicated to your service: Grant, we pray, that being
knit together in the spirit of love and unity, we your servants
may glorify your holy Name after the example of St. Francis
and win others to your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Third Order Litany

Thanksgiving
(Response: We thank you, O God.)

For the Incarnation, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord

Jesus Christ:
For our membership in Christ’s Church:
For the Eucharist, in which we receive the life of the
Risen Christ:
For the inspiration of the life of St. Francis:
For our calling as followers of Christ in the way of St.
Francis:

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For life shared in the Franciscan family:

For the love and caring of our fellow tertiaries:
For the spread of the Third Order throughout the world:
For growth in understanding and companionship with
Secular Franciscans and Ecumenical Franciscans:
For the beautiful and life-sustaining world in which we
live:
For opportunities to serve you in our sisters and brothers,
to share their pain and suffering in union with Christ’s
passion:
Penitence:
(Response: O Lord, forgive.)

For our insensitivity to the needs of others:

For our prejudice and fear that hinder love in our hearts:
For our narrowness of vision and our shrinking from
your demands upon us:
For our failure to accept change and risk:
For our desire to do your work in our own way:
For our lack of respect for those who differ from us:
For our clinging to the past and fear of the future:
For our unwillingness to follow in the footsteps of St.
Francis by embracing poverty in relationships, with our
possessions, and with our time:
For our looking to this world for security:

Intercession:
(Response: Lord, hear our prayer.)

For all tertiaries who face hostility because of their

Christian commitment:
For all aged, sick, and house-bound tertiaries:
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For those who work without the companionship of other

tertiaries, especially expatriate workers in the worldwide
Church:
For tertiaries working among the lonely, the
dispossessed, the destitute, and the mentally ill:
For N, Minister General of the Society, and for N,
Minister General of the Third Order:
For all members of Provincial Chapters and all pastoral
officers:
For the Province of the Americas, especially for N, our
Minister Provincial; N, our Chaplain; N, our Formation
Director (s); N our Fellowship Coordinator; N, our
Secretary; and their assistants:
For all area chaplains, counselors, and fellowship
conveners; for our bursar and our librarian; and for all
other Leaders of our Community:
For all postulants and novices:
For our directors:
For those who doubt their Franciscan calling:
For those tempted to faithlessness or to despair:
For those lacking the opportunity of frequent
Communion:
For ourselves and all our brothers and sisters that we
may be granted the grace of perseverance.
Eternal God, by whose power we are created and by whose
love we are redeemed; guide and strengthen us by your Spirit,
that we may give ourselves to your service and live this day in
love of one another and of you; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
world without end. Amen.

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Collects

Lord Jesus, in your servant Francis, you displayed the

wonderful power of the Cross: Help us always to follow you
in the way of the holy Cross, and give us strength to resist all
temptation; to you with the Father and the Holy Spirit, be all
glory for ever. Amen.

Father in Heaven, your servant Francis found perfect joy in

being rejected. Help us also to draw near to our crucified Lord,
that the joy of his triumph may shine in us to your glory and
the healing of your world; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ, when the world was growing cold you
raised up blessed Francis, bearing in his body the marks of
your suffering to warm our hearts with the fire of your love.
Help us always to turn to you with true hearts and for love of
you to bear the Cross; who with the Father and the Holy Spirit
lives and reigns, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Blessed Lord, as Francis found joy in creation, in beauty, and

in simplicity, but perfect joy in sharing the sufferings of the
world; so may we, abiding in your love, receive your gift of
perfect joy, and by the power of your Spirit, radiate your
peace, and find, even in suffering, the glory of God. Amen.

Merciful God, you made your Church rich through the poverty
of blessed Francis. Help us, like him, not to trust in earthly
things, but to seek your heavenly gifts; through Jesus Christ
our Savior. Amen.

O God, by the life of blessed Francis, you moved your people

to a love of simple things. May we, after his example, hold
lightly to the things of this world and store up for ourselves
treasures in heaven, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Maker of all, you helped blessed Francis to reflect the image

of Christ through a life of poverty and humility. By walking in
his footsteps, and imitating his joyful love, may we follow
faithfully the pattern of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

O God, you resist the proud and give grace to the humble.
Help us not to think proudly but to serve with the humility that
pleases you, so that we may walk in the footsteps of your
servant Francis and receive the gift of your grace; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Lord God, you came among us as a servant. Fill us with your

humility that we may, like Francis our brother, forget
ourselves in love for you and in compassion for others; and in
the lonely, the rejected, the lost, the deprived, and the
imprisoned, find Christ our Lord. Amen.

O God, you gave us blessed Francis to be a teacher and a

leader in following the ways of your only begotten Son. Grant,
we pray, that we who honor his memory here on earth may
share his glory in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

O Friend of the forsaken and Lover of the unloved, make us

bearers of your presence to all. Teach us to walk in the poverty
of your Son and to be among your people as those who serve;
in the name of him who for our sakes became poor, Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.

O God, by whose inspiration Francis became a little brother to

all and did not fear to take the message of peace and love even
into the heart of the enemy; give us, who follow him, a like
spirit of reconciliation and generosity in our own day; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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God our Creator, you always delight to reveal yourself to the

childlike and lowly of heart: Grant that, following the example
of blessed Francis and Clare, we may count the wisdom of this
world as foolishness and know only Jesus Christ and him
crucified; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.

O God, by whose inspiration Francis became a little brother to

all and did not shy away from taking the message of peace and
love even into the heart of the enemy: give us, who follow
him, a like spirit of reconciliation and generosity in our own
day; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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PRAYERS ATTRIBUTED TO
SAINT FRANCIS

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Prayers Attributed to St. Francis

My God and My All!

My God and My All, who are you, my sweetest Lord and

God; and who am I, a poor little worm, your servant? Most
holy Lord, I wish to love you. Most sweet Lord, I wish to love
you.

O Lord, my God, I have given you my whole heart and my

whole body; and I most earnestly desire, if I only knew how,
to do still more for you. Amen.

THE ABSORBEAT

May the power of your love, Lord Christ, fiery and sweet as
honey, wean my heart from all that is under heaven, so that I
may die for love of your love, who were so good as to die for
love of my love. Amen.

LORD, MAKE ME AN INSTRUMENT

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is

hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where
there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there
is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where
there is sadness, joy. Grant that we 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.

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THE PRAISES OF THE DIVINE TRINITY

(The praises before the Office)

(Response: We praise and glorify you forever.)

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, who was and
who is, and who is coming: Response
Worthy are you, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor
and power: Response
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and
divinity and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and
blessing: Response
Let us bless the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Bless the
Lord, all you works of the Lord. Praise our God, all you his
servants, and you who fear him, the small and the great. Praise
him in his glory, heaven and earth, and every creature that is
in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are
on the seas, and all that are in them. Glory to the Father, and to
the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is
now, and shall be forever. Amen.

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CANTICLE OF BROTHER SUN

Most High, all powerful, good Lord, to you be praise,

glory, honor, and all blessing.
Only to you, Most High, do they belong and no one is
worthy to call upon your name.
May you be praised, my Lord, with all your creatures,
especially brother sun, through whom you lighten the
day for us.
He is beautiful and radiant with great splendor, and he
signifies you, O Most High.
Be praised, my Lord, for sister moon and the stars: Clear
and precious and lovely, they are formed in heaven.
Be praised, My Lord, for brother wind and by air and
clouds, clear skies and all weathers, by which you
give sustenance to your creatures.
Be praised, my Lord, for sister water, who is very useful
and humble and precious and pure.
Be praised, my Lord, for brother fire, by whom the night
is illumined for us: he is beautiful and cheerful, full of
power and strength.
Be praised, my Lord, for sister, our mother earth, who
sustains and governs us and produces diverse fruits
and colored flowers and grass.
Be praised, my Lord, by all those who forgive for love of you
and who bear weakness and tribulation.
Blessed are those who endure in peace: for by you Most
High, they will be crowned.
Be praised, my Lord, for our sister, the death of the body,
from whom no one living is able to flee; woe to those
who are dying in mortal sin.
Blessed are those who are found doing your most holy
will, for the second death will do them no harm.
Praise and bless my Lord and give him thanks and serve
him with great humility.

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TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN

Hail, holy Lady, most holy Queen, Mary, Mother of God, ever
Virgin; chosen by the most Holy Father in heaven,
consecrated by him, with his most holy beloved Son and the
Holy Spirit, the Comforter: on you descended and in you still
remains all the fullness of grace and every good. Hail, his
Palace; hail, his Tabernacle; hail, his Robe; hail, his
Handmaid; hail his Mother; and hail, all holy Virtues, who by
the grace and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, are poured into the
hearts of the faithful. So that, faithless no longer, they may be
made faithful servants of God through you.

Holy Virgin Mary, among all women in the world there is

none like you: daughter and handmaid of the Most High King
and heavenly Father; mother of our most holy Lord Jesus
Christ; spouse of the Holy Spirit; pray for us,
with Michael the archangel
and all the powers of heaven,
and all the saints, to your most holy and beloved Son,
our Lord and Master.

THE PRAISES OF GOD

You are holy, Lord, the only God, and your deeds are
wonderful.
You are strong. You are great. You are the Most High.
You are the almighty. You, holy Father, are King of
heaven and earth.
You are Three and One, Lord God, all good,
You are Good, all Good, supreme Good,
Lord God, living and true.
You are love. You are wisdom.
You are humility. You are endurance.
You are rest. You are peace.
You are joy and gladness.
You are justice and moderation.
You are all our riches. And you suffice for us.

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You are beauty. You are gentleness.

You are our protector. You are our guardian
and defender. You are courage.
Your are our haven and our hope.
You are our faith, our great consolation.
You are our eternal life, Great and wonderful Lord,
God almighty, Merciful Savior.

THE PARAPHRASE OF THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father: Creator, Redeemer, Savior and Comforter.
In heaven: In the angels and the saints. You give them light
so that they may have knowledge because you are light.
You inflame them so that they may love, because you are
love. You live continually in them so that they may be
happy because you are the supreme good, the eternal
good, and it is from you all good comes, and without you
there is no good.
Hallowed be your name: May our knowledge of you become
ever clearer so that we may realize the breadth of your
blessings, the extent of your promises, the height of your
majesty and the depth of your judgment.
Your kingdom come: So that you may reign in us by your
grace and bring us to your kingdom, where we shall see
you clearly, love you perfectly, be happy in your
company, and enjoy you forever.
Your will be done on earth as in heaven: That we may love
you with our whole heart by always thinking of you;
with our whole mind by directing our whole intention
toward you and seeking your glory in everything; and
with all our strength by spending all our energies and
affections of soul and body in the service of your love
alone. And may we love our neighbor as ourselves,
encouraging them all to love you as best we can,
rejoicing at the good fortune of others, just as if it were
our own, and sympathizing with their misfortunes, while
giving offence to no one.

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Give us today our daily bread: Your own beloved Son, our
Lord Jesus Christ, to remind us of the love he showed for
us and to help us to understand and appreciate it and
everything that he did or said or suffered.
And forgive us our sins: In your infinite mercy, and by the
power of the passion of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
together with the examples of the Blessed Virgin Mary
and all the saints.
As we forgive those who sin against us: And if we do not
forgive perfectly, make us forgive perfectly, so that we
may truly love our enemies for love of you and pray
fervently to you for them, returning no one evil for evil,
anxious only to serve everybody in you.
Lead us not into temptation: Hidden or obvious, sudden or
unforeseen.
But deliver us from evil: Present, past or future.
Amen.

THE PRAISES OF THE VIRTUES

Hail, Queen Wisdom! The Lord save you,
with your sister, pure, holy Simplicity.
Lady Poverty, God keep you,
with your sister, holy Humility.
Lady Holy Love, God keep you,
with your sister, holy Obedience.
All holy virtues, God keep you.
God from whom you proceed and come.
In all the world there is not a man
who can possess any one of you
without first dying to himself.
The man who practices one and does not offend
against the others possesses all;
The man who offends against one,
possesses none and violates all.
Each and every one of you
puts vice and sin to shame.
Holy Wisdom puts Satan
and all his wiles to shame.

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Pure and holy Simplicity puts

all the learnings of this world to shame.
Holy Poverty puts to shame all greed,
avarice, and all the anxieties of this life.
Holy Humility puts pride to shame,
and all the inhabitants of this world
and all that is in the world.
Holy Love puts to shame all the temptations
of the devil and the flesh and all natural fear.
Holy Obedience puts to shame
all natural and selfish desires.
It mortifies our lower nature
and makes it obey the spirit and our fellow men.
Obedience subjects a man to everyone on earth,
ant not only to men, but to all the beasts as well
and to the wild animals, so that they can do what
they like with him, as far as God allows them.

The Will of the Father was such that His blessed and glorious
Son, Whom He gave to us and Who was born for us, should,
through His own blood, offer Himself as a sacrifice and
oblation on the altar of the cross: not for Himself through
Whom all things were made, but for our sins, leaving us an
example that we should follow in His footprints. And the
Father wills that all of us should be saved through Him and
that we receive Him with our pure heart and chaste body. But
there are few who wish to receive Him and be saved by Him,
although His yoke is sweet and His burden light.
St. Francis in The Second Version of the Letter to the Faithful

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PRAYERS FOR DAILY,

SEASONAL AND
OCCASIONAL USE

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ON ENTERING A CHURCH
Both here and in all your churches throughout the whole
world, we adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by
your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

AFTER OFFICE OR EUCHARIST OR ANGELUS

St. Francis, pray for us.

St. Clare, pray for us.
St. Louis, pray for us.
St. Elizabeth, pray for us.
Both here and in all your churches throughout the whole
world, we adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by
your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

BEFORE A CRUCIFIX

O good and most merciful Jesus, imprint on my heart a living

sense of faith, hope, and charity, true repentance for my sins,
and a steadfast purpose of amendment. I ponder in my heart
and contemplate your five wounds with love and sorrow. O
Jesus, have mercy on me. Amen.

PRAYERS FOR THE BEGINNING OF THE DAY

Jesus Lord, I offer you this new day because I believe in you,
love you, hope all things in you, and thank you for your
blessings. I am sorry for having offended you and forgive
everyone who has offended me.

Look down on me and leave in me peace and courage and

your humble wisdom that I may serve others with joy and be
pleasing to you all day. Amen.

We give thanks for this life, which is such a surprise to us, and
for this new day which is full of discovery, and for a new
chance to become and be born anew. We are born into this life
to consume, but let us consume gently, and let us taste and
slowly sip, and allow this life around us to become part of us.
Life is a gift, and we are its grace. Amen.

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PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION

O Bread, holy, pure, and living, who comes down from

heaven and gives life to the world, come into my heart and
cleanse me from all defilement both of flesh and of spirit.
Enter into my person, and heal and cleanse me both inwardly
and outwardly. Be the protection and health of my body as
well as my soul. Drive far from me all the enemies that lie in
wait for me. Grant that they may fly far off from the presence
of your power. Grant that being in all things defended by
you, I may walk in a straight way into your kingdom. From
there we shall no more behold you in a mystery as in this
present time. Rather, we shall see you face to face, when you
shall deliver up the kingdom to God the father, and God shall
be all in all. For on that day you shall satisfy me with a
wonderful fullness, so that I shall no more hunger or thirst
forever, O Jesus, who with the same God the Father and the
Holy Spirit live and reign, world without end. Amen.
(adapted from a prayer by St. Ambrose the Bishop)

THANKSGIVING FOR COMMUNION

Most loving Jesus, my Redeemer and my God: I adore you

who are present within me under the veils of bread and wine,
wherein you become the meat and drink of my soul. O my
God, I pray that your coming to my soul may be ever blessed.
And for this great benefit I give you thanks from the depths of
my heart.

My God and my all! You alone from henceforth shall be my

best good and my chief love. By the love of this your Son,
whom I have this day offered to you and received into my
heart, grant me, I pray, holy perseverance in your grace and
the gift of holy love. In Christ's name I pray. Amen.
(adapted from a prayer by St. Alphonsus the Bishop)

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LORD BE KNOWN TO ME

Lord be known to me in the breaking of the bread. Lord be

known to me in the words that you have said. You are my
peace; You are my light.

It is my desire to walk the path you walked; To be as

you would have me and not just talk the talk. You are
my peace; You are my light.

I feel your Holy Presence in times when I am alone. I pray

that I'll be worthy when you come to take me home. You
are my peace; You are my light; You are my life.

(Hilary Burwell)

CROSS PRAYERS

(Having in mind Saint Francis' devotion to the passion of

Christ and looking upon the figure of the Crucified, with arms
outstretched, let us pray to the Lord.)

A short silence may be observed

V. You have sealed, O Lord, your servant Francis,

R. With the signs of our redemption.

Lord Jesus Christ, who when the world was growing cold, to
the inflaming of our hearts by the fire of your love raised up
blessed Francis bearing in his body the marks of your passion,
mercifully grant to us, your people, true penitence and grace to
bear the Cross for love of you, who live and reign with the
Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

(OR THE PRAYER OF FRANCIS BEFORE THE

CRUCIFIX)

Most High and glorious God, enlighten the darkness of

our hearts and give us a true faith, a certain hope, and a
perfect love and a profound humility. Give us a sense of
the divine and knowledge of yourself, so that we may do
everything in fulfillment of your holy will; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
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THE BLESSING

May the life-giving cross be the source of all our joy and
peace. Amen.

BLESSING OF A PROFESSION CROSS

We beseech you, Almighty and Everlasting God, to bless this

sign of the Cross to be a comfort, defense, and shield for who
wears it as a token of his (her) life-long part and place in the
family of St. Francis. + May this sign of the Cross be hallowed
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Spirit. Amen

PRAYER WHILE PUTTING ON PROFESSION CROSS

God forbid that I should glory save in the Cross of our Lord
Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me and I
unto the world. O God, you have given me the grace to wear
the Holy Cross of St. Francis; give me the grace to walk
worthy of my vocation.
The individual may wish to recite the profession vow when
putting on the profession cross.

HOLY MARY

Most blessed mother, My light, my sweetness, my hope. Let

me be as you. Let me carry Christ inside me, under my heart.
Let me bring him to birth that he may touch others through
me. Let me follow him on all his dusty paths that I may learn
from him. Let me watch him die. O God-I would die in his
place. Let me hold him in my arms once more when they take
him down. Let me live to be old-if it be God's will, and gather
the children around me in a circle at my feet. So I may tell
stories of Him.
Holy Mary, mother of our Lord,
Pray always for me. Amen
(Kathy Clare Tripses, TSSF)

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WORLD PRAYER FOR PEACE

O God, lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth.

Lead us from despair to hope, from fear to trust. Lead us from
hate to love, from war to peace. Let peace fill our hearts, our
world, our universe. Amen

PRAYERS FROM THE WRITINGS OF ST. CLARE

Because one thing alone is necessary, I bear witness to that

one thing and encourage you, for love of Him, to Whom you
have offered yourself as a holy and pleasing sacrifice
that…you always remember your resolution and be conscious
of how you began.

What you hold, may you always hold.

What you do, may you always do and never abandon.
But with swift pace, light step, and unswerving feet,
so that even your steps stir up no dust,
go forward securely, joyfully, and swiftly,
on the path of prudent happiness,
believing nothing—agreeing with nothing
which would dissuade you from this resolution
or which place a stumbling block for you on the way,
so that you may offer your vows to the Most High
in the pursuit of that perfection
to which the Spirit of the Lord has called you.
St. Clare, 2nd Letter to Blessed Agnes of Prague

Eternal God, source of all mercies and consolation: may we

live to praise you; make the homage we pay you be
reasonable; season our sacrifices with the salt of your wisdom,
that our entire being may be transformed into your image;
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

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TRADITIONAL PRAYERS

VENI CREATOR SPIRITUS

Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,

And lighten with celestial fire.
Thou the anointing Spirit art,
Who dost they sevenfold gifts impart.
Thy blessed unction from above
Is comfort, life, and fire of love.
Enable with perpetual light
The dullness of our blinded sight.
Anoint and cheer our soiled face
With the abundance of thy grace.
Keep far our foes, give peace at home;
Where thou art Guide, no ill can come.
Teach us to know the Father, Son,
And thee, of both, to be but One;
That through the ages all along,
This may be our endless song;
Praise to thy eternal merit,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen
JESUS PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.

HAIL MARY

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are
you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your
womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us
sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

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THE ANGELUS

V. The angel of the Lord brought tidings to Mary;

R. And she conceived by the Holy Spirit. Hail Mary,...
V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord;
R. Be it unto me according, to your word. Hail Mary,...
V. And the Word was made flesh;
R. And dwelt among us. Hail Mary,...
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God;
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Pour your grace into our hearts, O Lord, that we who have
known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ, announced by
an angel to the Virgin Mary, may by his cross and passion be
brought to the glory of his resurrection; who lives and reigns
with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for
ever. Amen

ANIMA CHRISTI

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.

Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, exhilarate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O God Jesu, hear me.
Within your wounds hide me.
Suffer me not to be separated from you.
From the malicious enemy defend me.
In the hour of my death call me, and bid me come to you,
That with your saints I may praise you For ever and ever.
Amen.

O Lord, my God, I have given you my whole heart and

my whole body; and I most earnestly desire, if I only
knew how, to do still more for you. Amen.

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SEASONAL PRAYERS

ADVENT PRAYERS
Refrains on the Magnificat
(These seven refrains or antiphons may be said before and after the
Magnificat at Evening Prayer from December 17 through December
23)
Dec .17 O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the
Most High, and reaching mightily from one end
of the earth to the other, ordering all things
well: Come teach us the way of prudence.
Dec. 18 O Adonai, and leader of the house of Israel,
who appeared to Moses in the fire of the
burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai:
Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm.
Dec. 19 O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign to the
people, before whom kings shall shut their
mouths and nations shall seek:
Come and deliver us and do not delay.
Dec. 20 O Key of David, and scepter of the house of
Israel, who opens and no one can shut, who
shuts and no one can open:
Come and bring the prisoners from the prison
house, those who dwell in darkness and the
shadow of death.
Dec. 21 O Dayspring, splendor of light eternal and sun
of righteousness: Come and enlighten those
who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.
Dec. 22 O King of the nations, and their desire, the
corner-stone making both one: Come and save
us, whom you formed from the dust.
Dec. 23 O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver, the
desire of all nations and their Savior:
Come and save us, O Lord our God.

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COME LORD JESUS

Come Lord Jesus

Arc-lamp of the Eternal Deity
Mantled in human flesh
Light my mind with your clarity
Melt my soul in your charity
Make my heart your crèche
Come Lord Jesus come
(Marie Webner, Associate SSF)

CHRISTMAS PRAYERS
A CRECHE PRAYER

Eternal God, as we celebrate again the birth of our Savior,

may this crèche be to us a sign of your love and self-giving,
and through it may we draw nearer to the mystery of the Word
made flesh; To you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be all praise
and glory, now and for ever. Amen

TO THE INFANT JESUS

Come to me, O Divine Savior, deign to take birth in my heart.

Grant that, instructed by your example and aided by your
grace, I may be poor in spirit, humble in heart, like a stranger
on earth, mortified and obedient, as you were in the manger.

You became a child, O Divine Jesus, that I may become a

perfect human being. You suffered to be wrapped in
swaddling clothes to free my soul from all the bonds of sin.
You chose to be born in a stable, in order to admit me to your
altar on earth and to your glory in eternity. You descended to
earth, to exalt me to Heaven. You permitted yourself to be
rejected by the Bethlehemites to secure me a welcome
reception to your kingdom. You did not disdain the company
of dumb animals to merit for me the company of the saints and
the angels in Heaven.

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You became weak to make me strong, poor to enrich me,

humble to exalt me, subject to all sufferings in order to free
me from all evils and procure me all blessings.

Grant, O Lord, these great graces become not, by my

failure to correspond with them, so many grounds of
condemnation; but that, by profiting faithfully of them, I
may secure for myself the possession of that glory which
was the aim not only of your incarnation, but also of your
suffering and death. Amen

MAGNIFICAT OF THE STABLE

My soul rests confidently in the animal warmth and the lantern
light of this simple place, Yahweh, and my spirit rejoices
in the privacy of this time of birthing we share with you,

O God of Creation, for you come alive again tonight in the

blood and water of your people.

Yes this is the time for which we have waited. This is the
moment of blessing.

Holy is birth, and you shall show yourself from age to age in
those who enter into creation with you.

You have pulled down all our strivings and lifted up this
simple, common moment.

The stable is filled with good things, new life and happy
people. Are those in the inn rooms as satisfied?

You have come to Israel, mindful of our shared nature,

...according to the promise of Eden... mindful of our
nature to seek the wisdom of new life together, as long as
we walk the earth.

(Anonymous, TSSF)

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LENT

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

1. Jesus is condemned to death.
If we are to journey with Jesus as he is condemned to death
we shall do so, not because we have earned that privilege, for
if we demand what we deserve then the verdict upon us is
condemnation, and death and we are of all people most
miserable; but in and through Jesus Christ, the sinless one who
stands condemned, we are offered the infinitely costly, utterly
free gift of grace mediated through forgiveness.

2. Jesus receives the cross.

If we are to journey with Jesus as he takes up his Cross, it will
be by accepting his invitation to take up our cross. Jesus did
not say, "If anyone would be my disciple, throw away your
cross and follow me" (even if we may sometimes wish that he
had). Louis Evely remarks that God always seems to give us
the wrong crosses; any other cross than that particular one
would have been more bearable. But Jesus took up his Cross;
so must we.

3. Jesus falls for the first time.

If we are to journey with Jesus as he falls the first time, it will
not be without a heavy burden, nor without stumbling. How
wonderful that already, when we fall as we all do, Jesus has
identified with us in our weakness.

4. Jesus meets his mother.

If we are to journey with Jesus as he meets his mother, that
journey will have impact upon, and cost and challenge to our
most precious relationships.

5. Simon of Cyrene carries the cross.

If we are to journey with Jesus as the Cross is laid upon
Simon of Cyrene, we must be alert to those along the way
who, often unrecognized, carry our cross for us.

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6. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.

If we are to journey with Jesus as a woman wipes his face, we
must not be too proud to accept another's gift of love and
compassion, for that may bear the imprint of the face of Jesus.
7. Jesus falls for the second time.
If we are to journey with Jesus as he falls the second time, we
must not expect that the road will grow easier along the way.
We remain so frail and fragile, even when we have been on
the Christian pilgrimage a long time.
8. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem.
If we are to journey with Jesus as he meets the women of
Jerusalem, it will be as those who weep for themselves; for we
always remain sinners in process of salvation, growing in
grateful contrition, more aware of our sins as we grow ever
more aware of our forgiveness.
9. Jesus falls for the third time.
If we are to journey with Jesus as he falls for the third time,
we must beware of losing heart when we fall for the
umpteenth time to the same dreary old temptations. There is
no limit to Jesus' love for me: may I never allow my false
pride to set limits to my willingness to accept his love and
forgiveness.
10. Jesus is stripped of his garments.
If we are to journey with Jesus as he is stripped of his
garments, we shall find ourselves progressively stripped of all
the things we have relied upon to cloak our frailty and to give
us the illusion of security.
11. Jesus is nailed to the Cross.
If we are to journey with Jesus as he is nailed to the Cross, we
shall learn the glorious liberty of the children of God precisely
as we risk and entrust ourselves into the embrace of Him who
bears the marks of the nails. St. Catherine of Siena said: "Nails
could not have held God-made-Man fastened to a tree, had not
love held him there." The arms of Jesus nailed to the Cross
reached out freely to invite us into true freedom.

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12. Jesus dies on the Cross.

If we are to journey with Jesus as he dies on the Cross, it will
be a lifelong journey in which each step of the way leads to a
profounder step of faith, until we experience our own death as
our response to His invitation to entrust back to Him not less
than everything.
13. Jesus is placed in the arms of his mother. If we are to
journey with Jesus as he is placed in the arms of his mother,
we shall experience the depths of the true exchange of love,
not only in ministering to others out of our strength, but also in
accepting the ministry of others in our weakness and
helplessness.
14. Jesus is laid in the tomb. If we are to journey with Jesus as
he is laid in the tomb, we shall experience the Resurrection
Life as a reality. Without a real death there can be no real
resurrection; but through a daily dying to self we grow daily in
the discovery of what it is to live in Christ, our Risen and
Crucified Lord. From the foot of the Cross, and before a stone
rolled away from an empty tomb, we behold a single Glory.

FRANCISTIDE
THE TRANSITUS
(said on the evening of October 3)

V: Francis, poor and lowly enters heaven rich

R: While saints and angels sing their songs of praise.
Psalm 142 is then recited.

V: With arms outstretched, let us say the prayer of our Lord.

(The Lord’s Prayer is said silently)
Let us pray. O God, you made your Church rich through the
poverty of blessed Francis. Help us, who remember his death,
not to trust in earthly things but to seek your heavenly gifts;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(then the solemn blessing is given, and the bell is tolled
forty-four times)
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To the prayers of the saints I commend you.

May the most pure Virgin, Mother of God, Patron of all
Franciscans, pray for you.
May Saint Francis, our father, who bore the marks of the
Lord Jesus, pray for you.
May Saint Anthony, illustrious preacher, pray for you.
May Saint Bonaventure, seraphic doctor, prayer for you.
May Saint Clare, firstborn of the Second Order, pray for
you.
May Saint Louis, Saint Elizabeth, and the illustrious
saints of the Third Order, pray for you.
May all the saints of God, pray for you.
May the holy angels befriend you and watch you to
protect you.
And I will pronounce upon you the blessing, which our
holy father, Francis, gave to Brother Leo, his
companion:
The Lord + bless you and keep you;
The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious
to you.
The Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon you and
give you peace.
May the Lord give you his holy benediction.
Amen.

AN ALTERNATIVE VERSION OF THE TRANSITUS

Introduction
Leader: Each year on the third evening of October, we
ritually remember the passing of St. Francis of Assisi from this
life into God. To ritually revisit the story of Francis’ passing is
vital; without it something significant is missing. It specifies
the living memory of Francis; it intensifies our commitment to
follow Christ in the way of the poor man of Assisi.
Before beginning the ritual, let us meditate upon the following
readings and scripture, describing the last days and hours of
our Father Francis:

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First Reader: A reading from Thomas of Celano and St.

Bonaventure
St. Francis spent the last days before his death in praising the
Lord and teaching his companions, whom he loved so much,
to praise Christ with him. He himself, in as far as he was able,
broke out with the Psalm: I cry to the Lord with my voice; to
the Lord I make loud supplication. He likewise invited all
creatures to praise God and, with the words he had composed
earlier, he exhorted them to love God. Even death itself,
considered by all to be so terrible and hateful, was exhorted to
give praise, while he himself, going joyfully to meet it, invited
it to make its abode with him. “Welcome,” he said, “my sister
death.”
When the hour of his death approached, Francis asked that all
of the brothers living with him be called to his death bed and,
softening his departure with consoling words, he encouraged
them with fatherly affection to love God. He spoke of patience
and poverty and of being faithful to the Church, giving
precedence to the Holy Gospels before all else. He then
stretched his hands over the brothers in the form of a cross, a
symbol that he loved so much, and gave his blessings to all
followers, both present and absent, in the power and in the
name of the Crucified. Then he added: “Remain, my sons, in
the fear of the Lord and be with him always. And as
temptations and trials beset you, blessed are those who
persevere to the end in the life they have chosen. I am on my
way to God and I commend you all to His favor.” With this
sweet admonition, this dearly beloved to God, asked that the
book of the Gospels be brought to him and that the passage in
the Gospel of St. John, which begins before the Feast of the
Passover be read. Finally, when all God’s mysteries had been
accomplished in him, his holy soul was freed from his body
and assumed into the abyss of God’s glory, and Francis fell
asleep in God.

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Second Reader: A reading from John 13:1-17

Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that
his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father,
having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to
the end. And during supper, when the devil had already put it
into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him,
Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his
hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God,
rose from supper, laid aside his garments, and girded himself
with a towel. Then he poured water into a basin, and began to
wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel, with
which he was girded. He came to Simon Peter; and Peter said
to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him,
“What I am doing you do not know now, but afterward you
will understand.” Peter said to him, “you shall never wash my
feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no
part in me” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only
but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “He who
has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but he is
clean all over; and you are clean, but not all of you.” For he
knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “You are
not all clean.”
When he had washed their feet, and taken his garments, and
resumed his place, he said to them, do you know what I have
done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord; and you are
right, for so I am. If I then, our Lord and Teacher, have
washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.
For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I
have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not
greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he
who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you
do them.”

O santissima anima
All: O most holy soul, at your departure the heavenly host
comes to meet you, the angelic choir rejoices, and the glorious
Trinity welcomes you, saying: remain with us forever.

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Third Reader: Psalm 142

1 I cry to the Lord with my voice;*
to the Lord I make loud supplication.
2 I pour out my complaint before him*
and tell him all my trouble.
3 When my spirit languishes within me, you know my path;*
in the way wherein I walk they have hidden a trap for me.
4 I look to my right hand and find no one who knows me;*
I have no place to flee to, and no one cares for me.
5 I cry out to you, O Lord;*
I say, “You are my refuge,
my portion in the land of the living.”
6 Listen to my cry for help, for I have been brought very
low;*
save me from those who pursue me,
for they are too strong for me.
7 Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your
Name;*
when you have dealt bountifully with me,
the righteous will gather around me.

O santissima anima
All: O most holy soul, at your departure the heavenly host
comes to meet you, the angelic choir rejoices and the glorious
Trinity welcomes you, saying: remain with us forever.

The Lord’s Prayer, Ave Maria and Gloria Patri

Leader: Let us all kneel and repeat the Our Father, Hail Mary
and Glory Be five times, in honor of the five wounds of St.
Francis.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name: Thy

kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread: and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not
into temptation: but deliver us from evil. Amen.

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Hail Mary, full of grace; the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou
among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the
hour of our death. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world
without end. Amen.

Leader: Francis, poor and humble, enters heaven as a rich

man.
All: He is honored with the hymns of the blessed.
Leader: O God, on this day you granted the reward of blessed
eternity to our blessed Father Francis; mercifully grant that we
who celebrate with tender devotion the memory of his death
may have the joy of sharing in his blessed regard. Through
Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with
You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Leader: Let us bless the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.

Let There be Peace on Earth

Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me;
Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.
With God our Creator children all are we,
Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now;
With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow:
To take each moment and live each moment in peace
eternally.
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.

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PRAYERS THAT EXPRESS FRANCISCAN

CONCERNS
FOR FAITH, HOPE, AND CHARITY

Most high and glorious God, lighten the darkness of my

heart and give me sound faith, firm hope, and perfect
love. Let me have the right feelings and knowledge, so
that I can carry out the task you have given me in truth.
Amen.

FOR THE VISION OF CHRIST’S BEING AND BEAUTY

Bless us, O Lord, with the vision of your Being and Beauty:
that, in the light of your Love and the power of your Passion,
we may walk in the way of Eternal Life. Amen.

FOR A GREATER SENSE OF BEAUTY

Open my eyes and my ears, O Lord my God, that I may see

and hear more clearly the loveliness you have put into the
world, and give me grace, I pray, to show in my turn some of
your gifts in my life, to your glory. Amen.

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE THE CARE OF ANIMALS

To those who have animals in their care, O Lord, give patience

and gentleness; and help us all to remember that you have
created these, our little brothers and sisters, and to treat them
accordingly. Amen.

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NONE TO PRAY FOR

THEM

Accept my prayers, dear Father, for those who have no one to

love them enough to pray for them. Wherever and whoever
they are, give them a share of my blessings, and in your love
let them know that they are not forgotten. Amen.

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FOR MAKING A BETTER USE OF TIME

O my God, all my life is yours; help me so to plan and arrange

the hours of this day that I may serve you in them all, for they
are yours. Amen.

FOR THE HOMELESS AND THE HUNGRY

Lord Jesus, I ask you to help all those who have nowhere to
go; no bed, no comfort, and no food. Stir us all to do for them
what we profess to be willing to do for you, and give them
speedy relief. Amen.

FOR THE UNEMPLOYED

O God, I pray for all who have no regular work. Give them
grace to hope again, and put into the hearts of employers the
will and the ability to provide honest and decent work, that the
bitterness of idleness may be taken away forever. Amen.

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MEDITATION AND
MEDITATING

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A SIMPLE WAY TO BE WITH GOD

(A form of Centering Prayer)
Sit comfortably in a quiet place.
Let your body relax.
Let everything in your mind go.
Read, breathe deeply, or do anything else that helps you to
center.
Call on God with your favorite name for God, your prayer
word.
Just be with God in silence and love. Don’t think or imagine
or expect anything. Desire only God, however God will be to
you.
Let thoughts or distractions go, without effort. Think of your
prayer word and return to God.
When you are finished, say aloud a favorite prayer of yours.
Move peacefully from contemplation to activity, in God.
Be aware of God throughout your day as you are able.
Contemplate faithfully every day..

Let God love you as you are.

Let God make of you what God wills.

THE DOMINICAN ROSARY

The rosary is a form of meditative prayer, usually said while

keeping track of prayers in prescribed order on a chain of
beads. The Our Father and the Hail Mary are used as mantras
in this form of meditation. The object is to concentrate wholly
on a mystery in the life of our Lord Jesus while the lips are
occupied with familiar forms of prayer and the hands are
occupied with the beads.
The Our Father should always be used at the times prescribed,
but the “Jesus Prayer” or “My God and My All” may be
substituted for the Hail Mary.

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Order of Prayers

Apostles’ Creed (while holding the Cross)

Glory Be (on first large bead)
Hail Mary (on each of the three small beads – contemplating
Faith, Hope, and Charity on each of these beads)
*Glory Be and Our Father (on second large bead)
**Hail Mary (on each of the next ten small beads –
contemplating the first mystery)
Repeat the * and ** sequence for the next four groups of ten
beads plus large separating beads.

Traditional Order of Contemplative Mysteries:

Joyful Mysteries
Annunciation
Visitation
Nativity
Presentation
Finding in the Temple

Sorrowful Mysteries
Agony in the Garden
Scourging
Crowning with Thorns
Carrying the Cross to Calvary
Crucifixion

Glorious Mysteries
Resurrection
Ascension
Pentecost
Assumption of Mary
Crowning of Mary in Heaven

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Mysteries of Light
The Baptism in the Jordan
The Wedding at Cana
The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
The Transfiguration
Institution of the Eucharist

(Since there are not enough mysteries for a full week, feel free
to invent your own mysteries that bring you closer to the life
of Our Lord. For example The Mysteries of Christ’s Life
Leading to His Ministry: Learning from his Father Joseph,
Learning from his Mother Mary, Learning from his Childhood
Friends, Being Baptized by John in the Jordan, Experiencing
the three temptations in the Desert.)

THE CHILDREN’S CHAPLET

(For the simple of all ages)

The following prayers may also be substituted for the Hail

Marys in the Dominican Rosary

Joyful Mysteries:
1. By the Annunciation, dear Jesus, grant us humility.
2. By the Visitation, dear Jesus, grant us love.
3. By the Nativity, dear Jesus, grant us poverty.
4. By the Presentation, dear Jesus, grant us obedience.
5. By the Finding in the Temple, dear Jesus, grant us
devotion.

Sorrowful Mysteries
1. By the Agony in the garden, dear Jesus, grant us the gift
of prayer.
2. By the Scourging at the pillar, dear Jesus, grant us
mortification.
3. By the Crowning with thorns, dear Jesus, grant us
fortitude
4. By the Carrying of the Cross, dear Jesus, grant us
patience.
5. By the Crucifixion, dear Jesus, grant us faith.

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Glorious Mysteries:
1. By the Resurrection, dear Jesus, grant us faith.
2. By the Ascension, dear Jesus, grant us hope.
3. By the Descent of the Holy Spirit, dear Jesus, grant
us love.
4. By the Assumption, dear Jesus, grant us a good death.
5. By the Crown of Everlasting Life, dear Jesus, grant us
eternal rewards.

THE FRANCISCAN CROWN OF OUR LADY’S JOYS

According to legend, a young man who, before entering the

First Order, had delighted in decorating shrines with flowers,
was grieved that his new life of obedience did not permit this
practice. He therefore invented the Franciscan Rosary as a
better form of devotion than an offering of flowers. There are
seven decades in this rosary, the mysteries being the seven
joys of our Lady:

• The Annunciation
• The Visitation
• The Nativity
• The Adoration of the Magi
• The Finding in the Temple
• The Resurrection
• The Crowning of our Lady in heaven

After the seventh decade, two Hail Marys are added to make
seventy-two in all, the number of our Lady's years on earth,
according to tradition. Then are added an Our Father and a
Hail Mary for the intentions of all Bishops and those in
authority over us.

THE INCARNATION

In the beginning, the word of creation, ordering, summoning

beauty from chaos; The word of the prophets proclaiming
through history
'Prepare! O prepare! and listen! listen!'
Alleluia! The Word made flesh!

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The Light has come from the blackness of the womb, The
Light of the world now shines in the straw,
The Light of salvation has pierced the gloom,
The Light of life has overcome darkness
Alleluia! The Light is born.

From the fullness of Godhead, the communion of love,

From kingly glory, from the riches of heaven,
From infinity to time, the Lord of eternity clothes himself in
the garb of humanity
Alleluia! Emmanuel! God with us.

PRAYER

In the dusk of morning, Lord, before Your dazzling daystar

dons his vestments of blue, I send my simple love to You.
May it rise to you like the graceful smoke of incense that
mounts steadily, unwaveringly to disappear finally into
unknown realms where saints adore You.
Perhaps it is more like the skylark singing as it soars, singing
sweetly its joyful praises of You. But be it like vapor of
incense or song of bird You know, oh God, my heart.
Thanks for my life; for life but commences a pathway to Your
kingdom. To suffer pain and heartaches is surely better than to
feel nothing at all.
Thanks for my friends, my family; they're more than life
alone.
Thanks for this earth, resplendent with beauty. May I nurture
it.
Thanks for my dreams: and give me courage to make them
real.
Thanks for my eagerness and let it not die out.
And thanks, oh God, for You. You are the One who restores
sight, speech and hearing that all might become aware of Your
presence.

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You, oh blessed God, have made me feel, and I, humbled by

this agitation of awe within, I kneel to spread the contents of
my soul upon the hallowed earth at Your feet.
Bless me, Father, that I may grow into that Christian that is
worthy of your sight.
Amen.
(Barbara Mandigo Kelly, TSSF)

ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE TERTIARY’S VOCATION

(Something to consider when making your annual report –
from the European Province)

You are invited to use the following form around the time
suggested for the Renewal of Pledge, i.e., normally at St.
Francistide, to help you review your response to God’s call
within the Third Order. There is no obligation to use this form
or, having used it, to show it to anyone. However, you may
find it helpful to share it in confidence with your spiritual
director, novice counselor, or another tertiary.
Personal Growth and Development
Do I recognize any changes in my personal situation? If so,
are these for growth or for its hindrance?
Are there new areas into which I believe I am being called?
Have I shared this with anyone?
Spirituality – Awareness of God.
Can I perceive any deepening in my life?
Am I stuck?
Am I receiving help and guidance?
Have I shared this with anyone?
Community Life
Am I content with the quality of my life in my home?
- With my family
- At work?
- In leisure?
- In my local church?
- In the Third Order
Do I feel involved?
Are there difficult areas for me, e.g., relationships, authority,
environment, etc.?
Have I shared this with anyone?
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Mission and Ministry

Do I feel fulfilled in my work/task/job?
Do I see it as having a part to play in the work of the Kingdom
of God?
Am I being called into new areas of work/ministry?
Do I need further training?
Have I shared this with anyone?
Are there specific steps I need to take as a result of this
review?

INSTRUMENTS OF PEACE

St. Francis used the greeting "God give you Peace." Does God
give me peace in my heart? Is there some part of my life that
most needs reconciliation and forgiveness by being
acknowledged in my prayer? If so, what first step can I take
today?

Is there a personal relationship in my life that stands

unreconciled? Does it wait for my willingness (a) to be
forgiven by God, (b) to forgive myself, (c) to be forgiven by
someone else, (d) to forgive someone else, (e) to be willing to
be the first one to take the first step. If so, what first step can I
take today?

Is there a relationship or situation close to me that is

unreconciled for lack of a peacemaker? Does it wait for me to
take the risk of getting caught in the middle? And if so, what
first step can I take today?
Are there any people of peace whose courageous stand on a
vital issue I admire? Am I praying for them? Have I let them
know they have my support? By a letter? A phone call? A
gift? And if not, what first step can I take today?
Are there any who claim to be people of peace with whose
stand on vital issues I strongly disagree? Am I praying for
them? Have I let them know, in truth and love, my own
concern in the issue? And if not, what first step can I take
today?

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Are there whole categories of people by nation, color, class,

political stance, etc., toward whom I feel fear (out of
ignorance), anger, resentment, or indignation? And if not,
what first step toward understanding can I take today?
Is there someone representing me, my locality, or my country
in the political process? Am I praying for him or her? How
can I express my concerns? How can I become involved?
What first step can I take today?

AWARENESS EXAMEN
(received from Br. Chad, S.S.F., 1946-1990)
A. Thanksgiving: I come before God as one who has been
gifted by God. I owe him everything. I begin my examen by
bringing gratitude to my consciousness. I want to know that
ALL is gift:
• What has happened today that I should be thankful for?
• Do I take his gifts for granted?
• Is my whole life becoming a "thank-you" response to
God?
• What do I find most difficult to be thankful for?
B. Prayer for the light of the Holy Spirit: Seeing clearly in
spiritual matters is not simply a matter of using reason and
common sense. Only God knows me fully and knows what I
can become: he alone can give me "insight." I need to ask the
Holy Spirit to give me a growing insight into the mystery of
who I truly am.
• Am I becoming more and more Spirit directed?
• Am I open to all the channels by which the Holy Spirit
speaks to me?
• Did I allow the Spirit to direct me in the immediate past
events? (this morning? today?)
• Do I experience God's gifts anew: peace, love, kindness,
gentleness, patience, joy, fidelity, self-control?
• Am I in touch with my feelings, desires, impulses,
inspirations?
This is not a question of counting up our failures and victories.
Our concern here is faith and what has happened to us and in
us.

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• Did I feel drawn to the Lord today through: a companion,

an event, a book, nature, etc.?
• What have I learned about him and his ways in both the
ordinary occasions and in the stray moments?
• How did I meet him in fears, joys, work,
misunderstandings, suffering?
• How did his word (work) come alive to me today in my
prayer, Scripture, other readings, liturgy?
• How has the Lord moved me today: from excessive self-
confidence to greater trust in him; from a lack of self-
confidence to a greater acceptance of myself as he
accepts me; from feelings of remorse and guilt to real
repentance and turning toward him; from my plans, my
programs, my ways, to his ways, his desires, etc.; from
inordinate tendencies to an ordering and peace?
• In what ways have I been a sign of God's presence and
love: to my brothers and sisters; to my friends; to my
family; to the poor; to others?
• Have I felt moved to go out of myself in concern for the
lonely, the discouraged, the sad, the needy, the stranger?
• Have I been faithful in my prayer, my waiting upon the
Lord, his influence?
• How am I becoming more conscious of God's work in
the larger Church, in my country, in other countries
(especially in the Third World)? How am I affected?
Only secondarily are we concerned about actions insofar as
they are responses to his calling. And, only God can reveal my
sinfulness to me and he does so only out of love.
C. Contrition and Sorrow: A growing awareness of sinfulness,
my lack of response to love should arouse in me: sorrow and
wonder at being constantly brought back to newness; a sense
of deep joy and gratitude because I have been guaranteed the
victory through Jesus; a growing mistrust of self and a firm
trust in God; a humble awareness of my weakness; a strong
faith that I am gradually being converted from a sinner to a
son/daughter of God.
Here I can express sorrow over specific actions that were
inadequate responses to his love at work in my heart.

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D. Hopeful resolutions for the future: What I do here flows

from the previous points and therefore will differ each day.
How do I look toward the future: despondent, fearful,
discouraged? If so, why?
There should be a great desire to face the future with renewed
vision and sensitivity as I pray, to recognize the ways in which
the Lord calls me each day and in each situation, and to
respond to his call with more faith, humility, courage,
especially as I hear him calling for painful conversions in
some area of my heart. However, I should be filled with hope,
knowing that he never calls for conversion unless he gives the
grace to be "converted."

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THE ORDER OF ADMISSIONS

Incorporates

THE RULE OF THE THIRD ORDER OF THE

SOCIETY OF SAINT FRANCIS

iii) The Form of Profession and Renewal

As enacted by the Interprovincial Third Order

Chapter in the Constitutional Revision of 1993,
and subsequently ratified by the
Five Provincial Chapters

1997

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This Order for Admissions shall be carried out after the

Gospel at a celebration of Holy Eucharist. When this is not
possible, it may be used alone. The Officiant is a lay person or
cleric who has received a mandate(s) to perform the
admission(s) from the Provincial Chaplain (for profession) or
Assistant Formation Director (for novicing).

I. THE INVITATION

All those to be admitted stand before the Officiant.

OFFICIANT: My brothers and sisters, what do you desire?

Each to be ADMITTED TO PROFESSION replies:

I, (Name), desire to serve our Lord Jesus Christ by
Profession in the Third Order of the Society of Saint Francis,
for the rest of my life, in company with my brothers and
sisters.

Each of those RENEWING PROFESSION replies:

I, (Name), desire to renew my promise to serve our Lord
Jesus Christ for the rest of my life in company with my
brothers and sisters of the Third Order of the Society of Saint
Francis.

Each to be ADMITTED TO THE NOVITIATE replies:

I, (Name), desire to serve our Lord Jesus Christ as a
Novice in the Third Order of the Society of Saint Francis, in
company with my brothers and sisters.

Each RENEWING THE NOVICE PLEDGE replies:

I, (Name), desire to renew my pledge to our Lord Jesus
Christ as a Novice in the Third Order of the Society of Saint
Francis, in company with my brothers and sisters.

II. THE QUESTION

OFFICIANT: Do you accept The Principles as the vision of
the Community for the Third Order of the Society of St.
Francis?

The candidates reply:

We do.
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III. THE EXHORTATION

The Officiant delivers either “A” or “B”

A.
My brothers and sisters, you must always seek to be
conformed to the image of our Lord Jesus Christ in the life
you would embrace. Continue to serve him by prayer, study
and active work for his Dominion. Be ready to endure
hardness, calling to mind how our Savior has said that if we
would serve him, then we must also follow him; that if we
would come after him, we must deny self, take up our cross
every day and follow him.

As you embrace this life of living sacrifice, call to mind the

example of Saint Francis, the Poverello of Assisi. Let your life
in his spirit of holy poverty make our Lord known and loved
everywhere, and promote the spirit of love and unity within
the family of God. And so observe your personal rule of life
that you, like him, manifest humility, love, and joy in the
Lord.

The Gospel life in the spirit of Saint Francis cannot be pursued

but by the grace of him who said: “My yoke is easy and my
burden is light.” Let us therefore pray to the Lord that you
may have grace to persevere in your chosen way.

B.
My sisters and brothers, as baptized Christians you have given
your lives to the Lord Jesus Christ, and are members of his
Body. You must always seek to be conformed to his image in
the life you would embrace. You seek Christ’s image in a
community of Christians who live after the example of Saint
Francis, the Poor Man of Assisi. Let your life in the spirit of
Francis’ holy poverty make our Blessed Lord known and
loved everywhere, and promote the spirit of love and unity
within the family of God. Continue to serve the Lord by
prayer, study, and active work for his Dominion. And so
observe your personal rule of life that you, like Francis, might
be free to manifest humility, love and joy in the Lord.

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My brothers and sisters, in the life you seek, be ready to

endure hardness. Calling to mind how our Savior has said to
us that if we would serve him, then we must follow him; that
if we would come after him, we must deny self and take up
our cross every day and follow him. Let us, therefore, pray to
the Lord that you my have the grace to persevere in your
chosen way.

IV. THE LITANY

LITANIST: God the Father,

PEOPLE: Have mercy on us.

LITANIST: God the Son,

PEOPLE: Have mercy on us.

LITANIST: God the Holy Spirit,

PEOPLE: Have mercy on us.

LITANIST: Holy Trinity, One God,

PEOPLE: Have mercy on us.

LITANIST: We humbly pray that you will hear us, O

Lord, ant that you will send peace to the whole
world which you have reconciled to yourself by
the ministry of your So, Jesus.
PEOPLE: Lord, hear our prayer.

LITANIST: That you will guide all in civil authority to

establish justice and maintain it for all people.
PEOPLE: Lord, hear our prayer.

LITANIST: That you will heal the divisions of your

visible Church, that all may be one.
PEOPLE: Lord, hear our prayer.

LITANIST: That you will grant to our people forgiveness

of sins, and give us grace to amend our lives.
PEOPLE: Lord, hear our prayer.

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LITANIST: That you will lead all members of your

Church in their vocations and ministries to
serve you in a true and Godly life.
PEOPLE: Lord, hear our prayer.

LITANIST: That you will raise up able ministers for your

Church that the Gospel may be known to all
people.
PEOPLE: Lord, hear our prayer.

LITANIST: That you will inspire all bishops, priests, and

deacons with your love, that they may hunger
for truth and thirst after righteousness; that you
will fill them with compassion and move them
to care for your people.
PEOPLE: Lord, hear our prayer.

LITANIST: That you will bless our brothers and sisters who
seek to serve you in the Third Order, Society of
Saint Francis, and will give them grace to
persevere.
PEOPLE: Lord, hear our prayer.

LITANIST: That you will less their families (or house-

holds or communities) and adorn them with all
Christian virtue.
PEOPLE: Lord, hear our prayer.

LITANIST: That by the indwelling of your Holy Spirit

you will sustain those you have called to the life
of the Gospels in the way of Saint Francis, and
encourage them to persevere to the end.
PEOPLE: Lord, hear our prayer.

LITANIST: Let us pray for our own needs and those of

others.
Intercessions may be offered here.
LITANIST: Lord, in your mercy,
PEOPLE: Lord, hear our prayer.

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LITANIST: That we, with the Blessed Virgin, Saints

Francis and Clare, Saints Louis and Elizabeth,
our patrons, Saint _______, and all the saints
who have served you in the past, may be
gathered into your unending Dominion.
PEOPLE: Lord, hear our prayer.

OFFICIANT: Lord, have mercy.

PEOPLE: Christ, have mercy.
OFFICIANT: Lord, have mercy.

OFFICIANT: Let us pray.

Lord God, you are always pleased to show yourself to those

who are childlike and humble of heart; help us to follow the
example of blessed Father Francis, to look upon the wisdom of
this world as foolishness, and to set our minds only on Jesus
Christ, and him crucified, to whom with you and the Holy
Spirit be all praise forever. AMEN.

V. UBI CARITAS
The hymn is sung by all
in preparation for the Pledges
and Renewals

We have been gathered together by the love of │Christ.

Let us rejoice now and be glad in │Christ our Lord.
Let us fear and let us all love the living │God.
And let us love one another with │sincere hearts.

Refrain: Where charity and love prevail

There our God is found.
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Therefore, when we are assembled, let us be as │one.

Not to be divided in mind, let │us take care.
Let there be an end to quarrels, an end to │strife.
And may he appear in our midst, our │Christ and God.
Refrain.

And together with the blessed may we be│hold

The glory of your countenance, O │Christ our God,
Which shall be for us our chief joy, pure un│bounded,
Forever and forevermore, world│without end.
Refrain.

Or HYMNS 606, 576,577, or 581 to the tune of Saint

Columba (645), or any other musical setting of Ubi
Caritas.

VI. THE PLEDGE

ADMISSION TO PROFESSION

OFFICIANT: Let him/her/those who seek(s) admission to

Profession come forward and make a vow and pledge.

Each candidate to be ADMITTED TO PROFESSION

says:
I, (Name), give myself to our Lord Jesus Christ, to serve him
for the rest of my life in company with my brothers and sisters
in the Third Order of the Society of Saint Francis, according to
the Principles of the Order, seeking to spread the knowledge
and love of Christ, to promote the spirit of love and harmony
as the family of God, and to live joyfully a life of simplicity
and humble service after the example of Saint Francis.
Officiant presents the Third Order Cross to the Candidate.

OFFICIANT: Take this cross in token that you, (Name), are

crucified with Christ yet live by faith in the Son of God who
loved you and gave himself for the life of the world. Wear it
as a sign that you are a professed member of the Third Order.

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CANDIDATE: I, (Name), undertake by God’s grace to keep

for one year my personal rule of life which I now place on the
altar.

OFFICIANT: May the Lord accept your offering and give

you grace to persevere with joy.

RENEWAL OF PROFESSION

OFFICIANT: Let those who are Professed come forward

and renew their vow and pledge.

PROFESSED: I, (Name), renew my pledge to serve our Lord

Jesus Christ in the Third Order of the Society of Saint Francis,
according to the Principles of the Order, for the rest of my life;
seeking to spread the knowledge and love of Christ, to
promote the spirit of love and harmony as the family of God,
and to live joyfully a life of simplicity and humble service
after the example of Saint Francis. I undertake by God’s grace
to keep for one year my personal rule of life which I now
place on the altar.

OFFICIANT: May the Lord accept your offering and give

you grace to persevere with joy.

ADMISSION OF NOVICES

OFFICIANT: Let those to be admitted as Novices come

forward.

CANDIDATE: I, (Name), wish to serve our Lord Jesus

Christ as a Novice in the Third Order of the Society of Saint
Francis, and I undertake to keep for one year my personal rule
of life which I now present upon the altar.

OFFICIANT: (Name), I admit you as a Novice in the Third

Order, Society of Saint Francis. May the Lord give you grace
to persevere with joy.

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RENEWAL OF NOVICES

OFFICIANT: Let those who are to renew their pledge as

Novices come forward.
NOVICE: I, (Name), renew my pledge to serve our Lord
Jesus Christ as a Novice in the Third Order of the Society of
Saint Francis, and I undertake by God’s grace to keep my
personal rule of life which I now present upon the altar.
OFFICIANT: May the Lord accept your offering and give
you grace to persevere with joy.

VI. THE BLESSING

When all admissions and renewals have been completed, the

Officiant says;

To the prayers of the Saints I commend you.

May our Blessed Lady pray for you.
May Saint Francis, who bore the marks of the Crucified
pray for you.
May Saint Clare pray for you.
May Saints Louis and Elizabeth, illustrious saints of the
Third Order, pray for you.

And I shall pronounce upon you the blessing, which blessed

Francis gave to Brother Leo, his companion:
The Lord bless you and keep you
The Lord show his face to you and have mercy upon you;
The Lord turn his countenance toward you and give you
peace;
My brothers and sisters, the Lord bless you.

VII. THE PEACE

The Officiant (or at a Eucharist, the Celebrant) proclaims

the Peace.
All those present may then exchange the Peace.
If there is to be a Eucharist, the service continues with the
Offertory.

+
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THE HOLY EUCHARIST

With the Eucharistic Prayer of Saints Francis

and Clare

For use at gathering of

The Third Order, Province of the Americas,
Society of Saint Francis
2000

and

An Informal Service of Holy Eucharist

for Franciscan Gatherings
approved Chapter 2014

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Eucharistic Prayer of Saints Francis and Clare

The Word of God
A hymn, psalm, or anthem may be sung.

The people standing, the Celebrant and People say an

acclamation.

Celebrant: Blessed be God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

People: And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever.
Amen.
or
Celebrant: Blessed be the one, holy, and living God.
People: Glory to God for ever and ever.
During Advent
Celebrant: Blessed are you, holy and living one.
People: You come to your people and set them free.
During Lent
Celebrant: Blessed be the God of our salvation.
People: Who bears our burdens and forgives our sins.
During Easter
Celebrant: Alleluia, Christ is risen.
People: The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.

The Celebrant may say

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known,
and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our
hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may
perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.

When appointed, the following hymn or some other song of

praise is sung or said, all standing

Glory to God in the highest,

and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks
we praise you for your glory.

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Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,

Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us.
You are seated at the right hand of the Father;
receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen

The Collect of the Day

The Celebrant continues with one of the following salutations

Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
or
Celebrant: God be with you.
People: And also with you.
or
Celebrant: The Lord is here.
People: God’s Spirit is with us.
After the salutation the celebrant continues with the Collect, first
saying
Celebrant: Let us pray.
The Lessons
One or more readings from the Old Testament, New Testament or
Psalms.
After the readings, the Reader may say one of the following:
Reader: The Word of the Lord
or
Reader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Churches.
or
Reader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s
people.
People: Thanks be to God
The Gospel (read by the Deacon if available, otherwise by the
Celebrant)
The Sermon or other time of reflection may follow
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On the occasion of admissions or renewals, the Order of

Admissions (pg. 95) follows here. When there are no
admissions or renewals this Litany follows.

Litanist: God the Father,

People: Have mercy on us.
Litanist: God the Son,
People: Have mercy on us.
Litanist: God the Holy Spirit,
People: Have mercy on us.
Litanist: Holy Trinity, One God.
People: Have mercy on us.

Litanist: We humbly pray that you will hear us, O Lord, and
that you will send peace to the whole world which
you have reconciled to yourself by the ministry of
your Son, Jesus.
Litanist: That you will guide all in civil authority to establish
justice and maintain it for all people.
People: Lord, hear our prayer.
Litanist: That you will heal the divisions of your visible
Church, that all may be one.
People: Lord, hear our prayer.
Litanist: That you will grant to your people forgiveness of
our sins, and give us grace to amend our lives.
People: Lord, hear our prayer.
Litanist: That you will lead all members of your Church in
their vocations and ministries to serve you in a true
and Godly life.
People: Lord, hear our prayer.
Litanist: That you will raise up able ministers for your
Church, that the Gospel may be known to all
people.
People: Lord, hear our prayer.
Litanist: That you will inspire all bishops, priests, and
deacons with your love, that they may hunger for
truth and thirst after righteousness; that you will fill
them with compassion and move them to care for
your people.
People: Lord, hear our prayer.

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Litanist: That you will bless our brothers and sisters who
seek to serve you in the Third Order, Society of
Saint Francis, and will give them grace to
persevere.
People: Lord, hear our prayer.
Litanist: That you will bless their families (or households or
communities) and adorn them with all Christian
virtue.
People: Lord, hear our prayer.
Litanist: That by the indwelling of your Holy Spirit you will
sustain those you have called to the life of the
Gospels in the way of Saint Francis, and encourage
them to persevere to the end.
People: Lord, hear our prayer.
Litanist: Let us pray for our own needs and those of others.
(Intercessions may be offered here)
Litanist: Lord, in your mercy.
People: Hear our prayer
Litanist: That we, with the blessed Virgin, Saints Francis
and Clare, Saints Louis and Elizabeth, our patrons,
(Saint ______) and all the saints who have served
you in the past, may be gathered into your unending
Dominion.
People: Lord, hear our prayer.
Officiant: Lord have mercy.
People: Christ have mercy.
Officiant: Lord have mercy.
Officiant: Let us pray.
Lord God, you are always pleased to show yourself
to those who are childlike and humble of heart; help
us to follow the example of blessed Father Francis,
to look upon the wisdom of this world as
foolishness, and to set our minds only on Jesus
Christ, and him crucified, to whom with you and
the Holy Spirit be all praise forever.
People: Amen.
The Confession
Deacon or other Leader:
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Silence may be kept

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Leader and people:

Most loving and merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you and your
creation.
We confess our false claim to wealth and power and wisdom.
We confess our shame of the Gospel
and of our dependence upon you.
Help us to know ourselves as neither more nor less
than we are in your sight.
Enlighten the darkness of our hearts,
and give us, O Lord,
true faith, certain hope, and perfect charity. Amen.
The Bishop when present, or the Celebrant, stands and says
The God of infinite love have mercy on you,
by the humble passion of our Lord Jesus Christ
forgive you all your sins,
and by the power of the Holy Spirit
lead you into all grace and truth. Amen.

The Peace
All Stand
Celebrant: The Peace of the Lord be always with you.
People: And also with you.
or
Celebrant: The peace of Christ be always with you.
People: And also with you.
All may greet one another in the name of the Lord.

The Holy Communion

The Celebrant may begin the Offertory with the exhortation of St.
Francs in the “Letter to the Whole Order” or some other offertory
sentence.
Prepare to look upon the humility of God. Pour out your hearts
before the Lord of the Universe. Humble yourselves that God
might exalt you. Hold back nothing of yourselves for
yourselves, that the Lord may receive your all who gave his all
to you.
Representatives of the congregation bring the peoples’ offerings of
bread and wine, and money or other gifts, to the deacon or celebrant.
The people stand while the offerings are presented and placed on the
Altar.

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The Eucharistic Prayer of Saints Francis and Clare

The people remain standing. The Sursum Corda begins with either
Salutation.
Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
or
Celebrant: God be with you.
People: And also with you.
or
Celebrant: The Lord is here
People: God’s Spirit is with us
After the Salutation, the Sursum Corda continues
Celebrant: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
The Celebrant proceeds
All Powerful, Most High, Supreme Good Lord, we praise and
thank you for bringing light to the darkness of our lives. By
your Word at creation you brought forth our brother sun and
sister moon, and your loving gaze looked upon all that you
had made to find it very good. But by sin the world was
blinded; by sin we lost our way. Then through your Son you
revealed the light of your love. As one of us, you walked
among us. Unite us this day to your Son, that we may shine
with your glory to the world; by your light help us see and
become the light.
Rejoicing in the splendor of your radiance, countless throngs
of angels and archangels give you unceasing praise. Joining
with them and giving voice to every creature under heaven,
(we break forth in song to sing your joyous praise:)
(or if the Sanctus is said: we praise your name saying:)
Celebrant and People
Holy, Holy, Holy, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
The Celebrant proceeds

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You are worthy, O God, to be worshipped and praised by all

that you have made. For you loved the world so much that you
gave your only Son, so that all might find new life in him. By
your Holy Spirit, you anointed Jesus to preach good news to
the poor, to proclaim freedom for prisoners and recovery of
sight to the blind, and to release those who are oppressed.
Healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and feasting with sinners
your Son proclaimed the Kingdom of God was at hand. Living
among us Jesus revealed your glory, full of grace and truth.
Yet the world rejected him, opposing his mission and witness.
At the following words concerning the bread, the Celebrant is to hold
it, or lay a hand upon it; and at the words concerning the cup, to hold
or place a hand upon the cup and any other vessel containing wine to
be consecrated.
On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our
Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to
you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take,
eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the
remembrance of me.”
After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given
thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you:
This is my Blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for you
and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink
it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
In all humility, Christ then accepted betrayal and death upon a
cross for our redemption. Therefore, O Lord, you raised him
from the dead and gave to Jesus the name above all other
names, so that all might be humbled to confess that Jesus
Christ is Lord of all.
Almighty God, as we celebrate this memorial of our
redemption, we praise you for your love and mercy revealed in
Jesus Christ our Lord. Remembering his death, rejoicing in his
resurrection, we offer all we have and all we are to you.
As we await the return of Christ in glory, let your Holy Spirit
come upon this bread and wine and upon us, that we may be
filled with your power and grace through the Body and Blood
of Jesus Christ.

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People and Celebrant

Unite us to your Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ,
who brings us out of darkness
into the wonderful light.
The Celebrant continues
All this we ask through our Savior Jesus Christ, by whom, and
with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all
honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and forever.
AMEN.
And now, as our Savior As our Savior Christ
Christ has taught us has taught us
we are bold to say, we now pray,
All:
Our Father, who art in heaven Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be thy name, hallowed be your Name,
thy kingdom come, your kingdom come,
thy will be done, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven. on earth as in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread Give us today our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses, Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who as we forgive those who sin
trespass against us. against us.
And lead us not into temptation, Save us from the time of trial,
but deliver us from evil. and deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom For the kingdom, the power
and the power, and the glory and the glory are yours,
for ever and ever. Amen. now and for ever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread
The Celebrant breaks the consecrated Bread. A period of silence is
kept. Then may be sung or said a fraction anthem such as one of the
following:
Celebrant: [Alleluia.] Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
People: Therefore let us keep the feast. [Alleluia.]
or
Celebrant: We break this bread to share in the Body of Christ.
People: We who are many are one body
for we all share in the one bread.

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The Celebrant says the following or some other Invitation

Arise shine for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
All baptized Christians are welcome to receive Holy Communion.
After Communion the Post Communion Prayer is said.
Celebrant: Let us pray.
Celebrant and People
Most High and Supreme Eternal God,
through the mystery of your presence you give us joy.
We thank you
for giving us a taste of your heavenly kingdom,
in the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
And now, O Lord, make us instruments of your peace;
as we make our way in the world,
help us sow your pardon, love and renewal.
Empower us by your Holy Spirit
to love mercy, to do justice,
and to walk humbly with our God,
following the examples of Francis,
Clare,
Louis,
and Elizabeth,
who with all your saints magnify your holy Name,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Hymn may be sung
The Celebrant may bless the people; the Deacon dismisses
them.
The people respond: Thanks be to God.

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An Informal Service of Holy Eucharist

for Franciscan Gatherings

Gather in the Lord’s Name

(The people are invited to a few moments of prayerful silence
as they prepare to receive Christ in the Eucharist)
A Song may be sung
Opening - Collect of the Day and/or the following
Celebrant: God be with you.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Let us pray.
Lord Jesus Christ, when the world was growing cold you
raised up blessed Francis, who bore in his body the marks of
your suffering, to warm our hearts with the fire of your love.
Help us always to turn to you with true hearts, and to bear the
Cross for love of you; who lives and reigns with the Creator
and Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Song of Praise “Canticle of the Creatures”

(To be read responsively or antiphonally.

Another Song of Praise such as the Gloria in Excelsis,
Pascha Nostrum or Te Deum or a Hymn or Song may be used)
Most High, all powerful, good Lord,
to you be praise, glory, honor and all blessing.
Only to you, Most High, do they belong
and no one is worthy to call upon your name.
May you be praised, my Lord, with all your creatures,
especially brother sun,
through whom you lighten the day for us.
He is beautiful and radiant with great splendor;
he signifies you, O Most High.

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Be praised, my Lord, for sister moon and the stars:

clear and precious and lovely, they are formed in
heaven.
Be praised, my Lord, for brother wind
and by air and clouds, clear skies and all weathers,
by which you give sustenance to your creatures.
Be praised, my Lord, for sister water,
who is very useful and humble and precious and pure.
Be praised, my Lord, for brother fire,
by whom the night is illumined for us:
he is beautiful and cheerful, full of power and strength.
Be praised, my Lord, for sister, our mother earth,
who sustains and governs us
and produces diverse fruits
and colored flowers and grass.
Be praised, my Lord
by all those who forgive for love of you
and who bear weakness and tribulation.
Blessed are those who bear them in peace:
for you, Most High, they will be crowned.
Be praised, my Lord, for our sister,
the death of the body,
from which no one living is able to flee;
woe to those who are dying in [mortal] sin.
Blessed are those who are found doing your most holy will,
for the second death will do them no harm.
Praise and bless my Lord and give him thanks
and serve him with great humility.

Readings of the Day. (The Gospel must be read - other

lessons and psalms may be read. A response to the Gospel
may be offered, such as a reflection, meditation, song, story,
poem, or group sharing.)

Prayers of the People

The people are invited to offer their concerns, prayer requests,
and thanksgivings at the appropriate time during the prayers.

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Worship Leader: We are the Body of Christ. We are the

church. I ask your prayers for God’s people all over the world
and for us who are gathered here. Voice your prayers for the
church…God, in your mercy,
People: Hear our prayer.
Leader: I ask your prayers for peace. Pray for the end of
fighting and war and violence. Pray that all people may be
well and at peace.
God, in your mercy,
People: Hear our prayer.
Leader: I ask your prayers for those who are sick and
suffering. Whose name do you hold up in prayer? (The people
may add their prayer request)
God, in your mercy,
People: Hear our prayer.
Leader: I ask your prayers for people who are poor, hungry,
homeless. Pray for those in any need or trouble.
God, in your mercy,
People: Hear our prayer.
Leader: I ask your prayers for all instances of oppression and
injustice and for the will to intervene.
God, in your mercy,
People: Hear our prayer.
Leader: I ask your prayers for those who have died and for
those who grieve.
God, in your mercy,
People: Hear our prayer.
Leader: I ask your prayers for our sisters and brothers in the
Franciscan community (intercessions from the TSSF Directory
can be read).
God, in your mercy,
People: Hear our prayer.

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Leader: We close our prayers by naming our thanksgivings

and blessings before God…God, in your mercy,
People: Hear our prayer.
Exchange the Peace

Prepare the Table

The Great Thanksgiving

The Lord be with you
And also with you.

Lift your hearts to heaven.

Where Christ in glory reigns.
Let us give thanks to God.
It is right to offer thanks and praise.

It is right to give thanks to you, the true and living God.

You are the source of all life.
We offer thanks for revealing yourself to us in the beauty of
your creation, Brother Son and Sister Moon, and all that
sustains life.
We offer thanks for your body, the Church, and especially for
the community called together by our Brother Francis and
Sister Clare.
We offer thanks for revealing yourself in Jesus who showed us
your sacrificial love but was given new life to bring us
together as your children.
And so we join with Francis, Clare, Louis and Elizabeth and
all the Saints and angels in proclaiming your glory,
as we say (sing),
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
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Creator, we bring before you these gifts of the creation,

bread and wine. Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for
your people the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord.

On the night he was betrayed, he took bread, said the blessing,

broke the bread, and gave it to his friends and said, “Take eat:
This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the
remembrance of me.”

After supper he took the cup of wine, gave thanks, and said,
“Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood shed for you.
Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
All honor and glory belong to you, Loving God, through
Jesus, your Son, with the Holy Spirit: one God for ever and
ever. Amen.

As our Savior Christ has taught us we now pray:

Our Father in heaven
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today your daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom and the power and the glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen.

Breaking and Sharing

(The Celebrant now administers the Bread and Wine to the
People in the customary way, or the Sacrament may be shared
among the People, each one passing it to their neighbor --
first the Bread then the Wine.)

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Post Communion Prayer

We thank you, God, for bringing us together around this table
and feeding us with the food of your Life. Through Christ and
with Saints Francis and Clare, we offer ourselves and our lives
to your service. Send us out in the power of your Spirit to
stand with you in your world. We ask this through Jesus
Christ, the servant, our friend and brother. Amen

Blessing and Dismissal

Look for the face of the Lord Jesus in everyone you meet,
And may everyone you meet see the face of the Lord Jesus in
you.
The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord show his face to you and have mercy upon you;
The Lord turn his countenance toward you and give you
peace,
My brothers and sisters, the Lord bless you.
The Deacon or Celebrant dismisses the gathering.
People: Thanks be to God
A Closing Song may be sung

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BURIAL OFFICE FOR A DEPARTED

THIRD ORDER FRANCISCAN

It is customary for religious communities to have liturgies and

ceremonies that are specific to the life of the community and
the spirituality of its charism.
The Third Order, Society of St. Francis, as a religious
community in the world wide Anglican community, has
prescribed rites and ceremonies to mark its members’
transition through the cycle of life: Postulancy, Novitiate, Life
Profession, Renewal of Vows and various devotions specific to
the Franciscan heritage to which it belongs.
The liturgy for the Burial of a Tertiary is meant to be a
supplement to the standard Burial Office in the Book of
Common Prayer for the various Provinces of the Order, and
may be adapted for use at the graveside rather than in the full
service at the Church.
The Officiant for these additions would generally be the Area
Chaplain, Fellowship Convener, or another Professed
Tertiary, and need not be an ordained member of the Clergy.
Pastoral consideration of the family is of upmost importance
and should be the first consideration in the selection of all or
part of these suggested additions.

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Following the Death:

 The family should be contacted by the Area Chaplain
and/or the Fellowship Convener to offer support and
provide a copy of these options to the family and
their Pastor who will be planning the service
 Contact the Clergy person responsible for the
development of the service
Prior to the Service:
 When possible, either the night before the funeral or
the morning of the funeral, it is desirable for
members of the Tertiary’s Fellowship to “Sit in
Watch” with the body or ashes.
 Candles or torches in stands should be placed around
the coffin or container of ashes.
 Readings from the “Transitus of St. Francis”,
selections from the Psalter, and other appropriate
Franciscan readings may be used.
At the Funeral Service:
 Members of the Fellowship and other Franciscans
may be part of the procession, or may have
designated seating together.
 The Fellowship Convener or other selected Tertiary
may lead this “Franciscan option” addition to the
Burial Office.
 A Tertiary may lead the Prayers of the People.
 At the time of the Commendation, the Tertiaries
present may gather around the coffin or container of
ashes as a sign of the Franciscan Community
presence. They may process out following the family
of the deceased tertiary.
 A table may be placed in front of the coffin or
container of ashes and set with symbols of the
deceased Franciscan journey: Profession Cross, Icon
or statue of St. Francis, symbol of his/her ministry,
rosary or other devotional items.

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The Burial Office

The following anthem is said during the procession or
following the entrance hymn
Most High, omnipotent, good Lord, to you be ceaseless praise
outpoured, and blessing without measure. From you alone all
creatures came; no one is worthy to call your name.
My Lord be praised by brother sun, through whom you lighten
the day. He shines in brilliant splendor.
Be praised, my Lord, by sister moon and all the stars, that with
her soon will point the glittering heavens.
By sister water, my Lord, be blessed; most humble, useful and
chaste.
Be praised, my Lord, by brother fire; robust and bright is he,
and strong to lighten the night.
By mother earth my Lord be praised, whatever we need she
has upraised. Sustained by her through every hour, she brings
forth fruit, herb, and flower.
My Lord be praised by those who forgive for love of you, and
who bear weakness and tribulation.
Blessed are those who peaceably endure, with you, O Lord,
their reward is sure.
Be praised, my Lord, for sister death, from whom no one can
flee. Blessed are those who do your will and follow your
commandments still.
Most High, omnipotent, good Lord, to you be ceaseless praise
outpoured, and blessings without measure.
The Presider then says
The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Presider: Let us pray.
Silence may be kept; after which the following collect is said by the
Presider: O God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son
Jesus Christ destroyed death, and brought life and immortality
to light: Grant that your servant N., being raised with him,
may know the strength of Christ’s presence, the joy of St.
Francis’s companionship, and rejoice in God’s eternal glory;
who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God,
for ever and ever. Amen.
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Litany for a Departed Franciscan

(These prayers could also be used at a Fellowship meeting or
privately to memorialize a departed Tertiary. A period of
silence may be kept in which participants could commemorate
the person who has died.)
Officiant: Lord, N. was washed in the waters of baptism,
strengthened by Christ’s body and blood in the Eucharist, and
united with us in the Franciscan Family. Hear our prayers for
him/her whom you have called to yourself.
V. Most High, omnipotent, good Lord, in the beginning you
created brother sun to give light to all creation.
R. Bring him/her through the darkness of death to the light of
everlasting light.
V. By the light of sister star, the wise men were led to
Bethlehem.
R. Lead him/her to the welcoming embrace of the Holy
Family in heaven.
V. By the force of brother wind, you held back the waters of
the Red Sea.
R. Make a pathway for him/her into the freedom of your
kingdom.
V. Your Son Jesus used our sister water to wash his disciples’
feet.
R. May he/she be cleansed from sin and enter the communion
of saints.
V. By the night you led the Israelites by a pillar of our brother
fire.
R. Be his/her companion into the promised land.
V. You nourish all creatures with the fruits of our mother
earth.
R. Make a place for him/her at your feast in paradise.
V. As the father ran to embrace the prodigal child, as Jesus
forgave those who crucified him,
R. Pour out upon him/her the grace of your forgiveness.
V. As our Father Francis sang to us the praises of Sister Death,
R. May he/she come into the glory of Resurrection life.

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At the Eucharist
The Eucharistic rite may be the Eucharistic Prayer of Saints
Francis and Clare (Devotional Companion) or the selected
BCP rite.

The Committal

The Prayer of St. Francis may be used after the Lord’s Prayer

The following blessing may be used at the conclusion of the

Committal:

All: May the Lord bless you and keep you

The Lord show his face to you and have mercy upon you.
The Lord turn his countenance toward you and give you
peace.
My brother/sister, the Lord bless you.

Officiant: Let us now go, and until that time when the Lord
shall gather us into his dwelling place, let us live in his peace.
Response: Thanks be to God.

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A FORM OF BLESSING OF
ANIMALS

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A Form of Blessing of Animals

Song of Praise (verses 1-3) Hymn 400
Psalm 148
1 Hallelujah!
Praise the LORD from the heavens;*
praise him in the heights.
2. Praise him, all you angels of his;*
praise him all his host.
3. Praise him, sun and moon;*
praise him, all you shining stars.
4. Praise him, heaven of heavens,*
and you waters above the heavens.
5. Let them praise the Name of the LORD;*
for he commanded, and they were created.
6. He made them stand fast for ever and ever;*
he gave them a law which shall not pass away.
7. Praise the LORD from the earth,*
you sea-monsters and all deeps;
8. Fire and hail, snow and fog,*
tempestuous wind, doing his will;
9. Mountains and all hills,*
fruit trees and all cedars;
10. Wild beasts and all cattle,*
creeping things and winged birds;
11. Kings of the earth and all peoples,*
princes and all rulers of the world;
12. Young men and maidens,*
old and young together.
13. Let them praise the Name of the LORD,*
for his Name only is exalted,
his splendor is over earth and heaven.
14. He has raised up strength for his people
and praise for all his loyal servants,*
the children of Israel, a people who are near him.
Hallelujah!
A Reading from Matthew 6:25-34

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PRAYERS FOR ANIMALS AND THE CARE OF

CREATION

Leader: Let us give thanks to God for all God’s gifts so freely
bestowed upon us, for the beauty and wonder of Creation in
the earth, sky, and sea, and for the animals, birds, fish, and
plants that fill this world;
All: We thank you, God.

Leader: For your mercy and comfort to all animals who are
suffering, including those that are abused, hunted, lost,
deserted, frightened, hungry, and dying;
All: We thank you, God.

Leader: For entrusting us with the care of our pets, and for
gifting us with compassionate hearts, gentle hands, and kind
words so that we may make you known to our pets;
All: We thank you, God.

Leader: For blessing us with the unconditional love of our

pets, so that our pets may make you better known to us;
All: We thank you, God.

Leader: To your honor and glory, now and forever, we pray

to you, God. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
The Blessing of Animals
Please bring your pets one by one to be blessed.
After all the pets have been blessed, the Leader continues:
Lord, bless all creatures of your creation. May their
faithfulness and affection toward us never go unnoticed.
Surround and comfort them with your gracious love and
nurturing care. Let your gentle touch always be upon them.
Amen.

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A Prayer Attributed to St. Francis

Lord, make us instruments of your peace.
where there is hatred, let us sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is discord, union;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness light;
where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that we 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.

Song of Praise (verses 4-7) Hymn 400

Dismissal

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January 7 – Angela of August 25 – Louis IX
Foligno September 5 John Bradburne
16 – 1st Franciscan 7 – Br. Douglas
Martyrs 11 – Mychal Judge
18-25 Christian Unity 17 – Stigmata
23 -Yona Kanamuyei 23 – Emily Gardner Neal
28 – Br. Juniper October 4 - Francis
February 5 – Martyrs of November 3 – Hugo Muller
Japan 8- Duns Scotus
7 – Colette 19 – Elizabeth of
8 – Jacoba of Settesoli Hungary
15 – George Potter 19 – Agnes of Assisi
19 – Conrad 21 – H. Baxter Liebler
25 – Founding CSF 23 - Fr. Algy
March 4 – Sylvester Robertson
7 – Fr. Joseph 29 – All Fran Sts
28 – William Sirr December 1 - Requiem
March or April – Friday 15 – Mary Frances
before Palm Sunday – Schervier
Day of Penitence 24 – Jacopone da Todi
April 3 – Benedict the Black
8 – Amer Sts and Mtyrs
10 – William of Ockham
16 – Founding of PCR
23 – Giles
28 – Luchesio &
Buonadonna
May 9 – Catherine
10 – Yves
16 – Margaret
17 – Paschal
28 – Mariana
30 – Joan of Arc
Thurs after Trinity Sunday
Corpus Christi
June 3 – Pope John 23rd
13 – Anthony
19 – Matt Talbot
22 – Thomas More
July 3 – Ramon
7 – Mary Christine
8 – Elizabeth
15 – Bonaventure
19 – Founding of TSSF –
America
23 – Bridget
August 2 - Our Lady of the
Angels
4 – John Vianney
9 – Marianne Cope
9 – Desmond Lionel
Morse-Boycott
11 – Clare
14 – Maximilian Kolbe
17 – Roch of Montpellier