Novena to St. Francis of Assisi

Day 1

Freedom Through Poverty

Francis gave up wealth because he wanted Christ to be his true treasure. His poverty did not reject the goodness of creation. It freed him from treating possessions as masters or measures of personal worth. You may not be called to own nothing, but you are called to hold everything with gratitude and generosity. Ask God to show you what burdens your heart. Let Francis help you become simpler, more generous, and more ready to trust the providence of your heavenly Father.

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy 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.

Day 2

Praise With Creation

In the Canticle of the Creatures, Francis praises God with all creation. He sees the world neither as divine nor as worthless. Creation is God’s good work, and every creature points beyond itself to the Creator. This vision teaches you gratitude and responsible care. The beauty of the world should lead your heart toward worship rather than possession. Ask for eyes that notice God’s generosity in ordinary things. Let gratitude deepen your reverence for the Creator and strengthen your care for what He has made.

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy 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.

Day 3

Light of Christ

Francis called the sun a brother because its brightness reflects the goodness of the Most High. The sun does not keep its light for itself. In a similar way, Christian holiness is meant to reveal Christ to others. You bear this light through patience, truthfulness, mercy, and quiet fidelity. Ask God to remove whatever dims your witness. Pray that your words and choices may bring clarity rather than confusion. May the light you receive from Christ become a steady gift to the people around you.

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy 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.

Day 4

Humble and Precious Water

Francis praised God for water, calling it useful, humble, precious, and chaste. Water serves quietly and sustains life without drawing attention to itself. It also recalls Baptism, in which God cleanses you and gives you new life in Christ. Humility does not deny your dignity. It receives every gift as coming from God and places those gifts at the service of others. Ask for a humble heart that serves without resentment. Remember your baptismal calling and seek the purity that comes through repentance and grace.

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy 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.

Day 5

Fire of Divine Love

Francis praised God for fire, which gives light in darkness and carries both beauty and strength. His own heart burned with love for the crucified Christ. Christian love must also be warm, courageous, and purified of selfishness. Zeal without charity can wound, while affection without truth can become weak. Ask the Holy Spirit to kindle a faithful love within you. Let that love warm those who are discouraged, illuminate difficult choices, and consume the habits that keep you from following Christ with an undivided heart.

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy 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.

Day 6

Service to the Poor

Francis learned to recognize Christ in people who were poor, sick, and rejected. His service became personal when he overcame fear and approached those he had once avoided. Love of neighbor often begins where comfort ends. You may meet Christ in someone whose needs interrupt your plans or expose your impatience. Ask for the grace to serve without seeking praise. Pray for courage to draw near to suffering with reverence. May your care protect each person’s dignity and become a sincere offering to Christ.

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy 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.

Day 7

Mercy and Forgiveness

The Canticle blesses those who forgive for the love of God and endure trials in peace. Forgiveness does not declare an injustice harmless. It refuses to let hatred have the final word. Francis knew that peace requires humility, patience, and conversion of heart. Bring before God the wounds that remain difficult to release. Ask for the grace to forgive while seeking what is true and just. Pray also for the humility to admit your own faults and to seek forgiveness from those you have harmed.

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy 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.

Day 8

Peace in Suffering

Francis bore illness and hardship while continuing to praise God. Near the end of his life, he received the stigmata, signs of his deep conformity to the suffering Christ. Suffering is never good simply because it hurts, yet grace can unite it to the Cross and make it fruitful. You do not face pain alone. Christ remains present and the Church prays with you. Ask for perseverance in present trials. Pray for those who suffer without comfort, and place every burden within the wounded hands of Jesus.

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy 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.

Day 9

Hope Beyond Death

Francis called bodily death a sister because faith had freed him from despair. Death remains an enemy, but Christ has conquered it through His Resurrection. For those who die in God’s grace, death becomes the passage to eternal life. This hope does not make earthly life unimportant. It teaches you to use each day for love, repentance, and praise. Ask for readiness to meet the Lord whenever He calls you. Pray for the faithful departed, and entrust your own final hour to the mercy of Jesus.

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy 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.

Closing prayer

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. 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 Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us.