Poverello

Was he really so poor, the ‘Little Poor Man of Assisi’ on September 17th 1224? Deeply praying that he might be more truly configured to the Lord who was his ‘God and All’ Francis became the first person in recorded history to be marked with the stigmata. In his heart, ever since his conversion, he had been crucified with Christ, now he was physically one with his Lord. A life of agonising pain and sickness lay ahead of him, but from this moment, Francis was truly ‘the richest of poor men’. No wonder he prayed as follows:

Lord God:you alone are holy,you who work wonders! You are strong, you are great, you are the Most High, you are the almighty King, you, holy Father, King of heaven and earth.
Lord God: you are Three and you are One, you are goodness, all goodness, you are the higest Good, Lord God, living and true.
You are love and charity, you are wisdom, you are humility, you are patience, you are beauty, you are sweetness, you are sefety, you are rest, you are joy, you are our hope and our delight, you are justice, you are moderation you are all our wealth and riches overflowing.
You are beauty, you are gentleness, you are our shelter, our guard and our defender, you are strength, you are refreshment, you are our hope. you are our faith. you are our love, you are our complete consolation, you are our life everlasting, great and wonderful Lord,all powerful God, merciful Saviour!
Amen.

God bless,
Sr. Janet