Saint Francis Novena | Day Nine: Consolation

You are beauty.
You are gentleness.
You are our protector.
You are our guardian and defender.
You are courage.
You 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.
(Praises of God)

Reflection

I have placed this prayer last because, in a way, it summarizes everything Saint Francis had to say about God. The philosophers of Francis’ day said that truth, beauty, and goodness are always three facets of the same reality. They are also self-diffusive, incapable of being hoarded to the benefit of one person or group and the detriment of everyone else.

No matter how difficult our individual circumstances may be, God offers tremendous consolation by constantly affirming that the world is not running amok, spinning beyond God’s control.

Francis of Assisi was no Pollyanna. He saw sin for what it is, but he never doubted God’s love and mercy. May we follow the example of the Poor Man of Assisi.

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Saint Francis on…

Consolaton: “Lest my foes rejoice at my downfall though I trusted in your kindness. Let my heart rejoice in your salvation; let me sing of the Lord, ‘He has been good to me.’”

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Prayer

God of all wisdom, you know how easily we “look for
love in all the wrong places,” as the song so
poignantly says. Remind us today that YOU are love
itself. YOU have given us the consolation of sharing
everlasting life with us. Help us to live in such a
way that, when we come to your eternal banquet, we will
resist the temptation to rearrange everything according
to our liking. All honor, power, and glory to YOU, the
source of all true wisdom.

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