Novena to St Francis

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As we enter the time to celebrate our Seraphic Father St. Francis, let us begin a Novena in Honor of Saint Francis

All of us are called to conversion. A turning away from the lesser things of this world to the greater blessings of Heaven. The more we meditate on how wonderful God is, how great the joys of heaven will be - the things of this world fade away and do not become so important to us. The more "God" becomes our "All" the less the world controls us.

During these nine days of walking with Saint Francis we are going to shift our attention from the "world" from "ourselves" and open our eyes and our hearts to the great wonders and blessings that God sets before us each day. Every moment of this day, is a gift to us. The clouds that float above our heads, the soft wind blowing upon our faces - all these, everything is God reaching out to us, blessing us and showing how much He loves us.

This first day is our "conversion day". Many times in our lives like Saint Francis pictured above - God has called us to do some kindness for someone we would rather just forget. Doesn't have to be a big thing, maybe just a smile for someone we often frown at. Maybe just a word of encouragement for someone we unwittingly find ourselves putting down. All of us have someone in our life that God sets before us as an opportunity to give to His least ones. When we do that, when we rise above our natural feelings and extend a small kindness, we are the ones who find the blessing! We experience conversion.

Let us look about today, for that conversion opportunity!

Novena Prayer - Day One

Saint Francis,
friend of the lowly and poor
open my eyes to see God
in all my brothers and sisters.
Pray for me, Saint Francis,
that I too,
might experience a conversion
this day and in the days to come.
Amen.

Please join tomorrow for the second day of the Novena to Saint Francis.

Novena in Honor of Saint Francis of Assisi day two

Francis has begun his conversion. Soon he will leave this rich way of living far behind him, but his generosity and spirit of giving will continue in other ways.

As we open our hearts to be transformed by God's great love, Our gifts and talents that we have, will now be used in new different ways.

Today, let us thank God for all the blessings He has given to us. Let us thank Him for each moment we have received,for even those that were not consecrated to him from our past, can be proofs now of the wonderful transforming work of grace daily taking place in us.

Novena Prayer - Day Two
Saint Francis,
you are the Saint of Joy
because you found the true riches
in God's field.
You are the Saint of Peace
because you found the true peace,
that comes from trusting in God.
Help us, Saint Francis,
to find this same joy
and experience this same peace
in our hearts
and in our lives.
Amen.
Please join tomorrow for the third day of the Novena to Saint Francis.

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