October 4th is the Feast of St. Francis

Our Holy Father took the name of Francis after his friend Cláudio Hummes told him “Don’t forget the poor” after he was elected Pope. As Pope Francis recounts, “and that struck me… the poor…Immediately I thought of St Francis of Assisi. Francis was a man of peace, a man of poverty, a man who loved and protected creation.” 

Every October 4th, the Feast of St. Francis celebrates the saint who saw all created beings as his brother or sister. On this Feast of St. Francis, let us celebrate this saint by taking action to protect the poor and care for creation.

Readings for today

Learn more about Caring for Creation in our Diocese

Learn more or get help from the diocesan office of Catholic Social Services in RI


The Prayer of St. Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace; 
Where there is hatred, let me sow love; 
Where there is injury, pardon; 
Where there is doubt, faith; 
Where there is despair, hope; 
Where there is darkness, light; 
And where there is sadness, joy. 

O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console; 
To be understood, as to understand; 
To be loved, as to love; 
For it is in giving that we receive, 
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, 
And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life. 
Amen.