As I was going through a box of old photos, I came across a postcard with the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi that my friend had sent to my son from Assisi in Italy dated 18th April 1989. The prayer has a large ‘T’, which you may know, is the Greek alphabet ‘Tau’. It also represents the Greek Cross and a symbol adopted by St. Francis of Assisi and the order of the Franciscans Minor. Incidentally, this symbol adorns the outer wall of the visitors parlour attached to Chapel of St. Francis of Assisi at my Alma Mater - St. Anthony’s High School, Monte de Guirim.
The Chapel of St. Francis of Assisi is located on the crest of the hill, known as Monte de Guirim, Guirim, Bardez Goa.
Photo by Tony Fernandes
The Prayer of St. Francis
A dedication to Pope Francis.
The touching hymn,’ Make me a channel of your peace’ and otherwise known as ‘Prayer for St. Francis’ was written by Sebastian Temple (1928-1997) who grew up in South Africa and later moved to London, where he worked on news broadcast relating to South Africa. After converting to Catholicism and adopting the Franciscan lifestyle, Sebastian became a Secular Franciscan and spent much of his time composing music for worship.
He is best remembered for “The Prayer of St. Francis”.
This is one of my favourite hymns.
Lyrics
Make me a channel of your peace
Where there is hatred let me bring your love
Where there is injury, your pardon Lord
And where there is doubt true faith in You
Make me a channel of your peace
Where there is despair in life let me bring hope
Where there is darkness only light
And where there's sadness ever joy
Oh, Master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul
Make me a channel of your peace
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
It is in giving to all men that we receive
And in dying that we are born to eternal life
Oh, Master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul
Make me a channel of your peace
Where there's despair in life let me bring hope
Where there is darkness only light
And where there's sadness ever joy
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