The world as our cloister Traditionally, the lives of religious were lived around the “cloister” – a garden enclosed by the buildings of the monastery. Francis of Assisi was part of another, new tradition. For him, the world was his cloister…   There is an exquisite illustration of this point in a brief text written [...]

The Eucharist and the Incarnation in the Franciscan Tradition According to our Franciscan heritage, there is no better way to approach the Eucharist than to contemplate the Incarnation. God is no longer entering into our history by the Law, the Prophets and the Psalms – or even by the desire to meet him that he [...]

A God Who Kneels Before Humanity If we want to know how Francis of Assisi actually lived, we must read the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke). If we want to know his heart, we must read John’s gospel. Many elements of his spirituality – his way of understanding the Cross and Jesus’ gift of [...]

Four Songs by Donovan   Brother Sun, Sister Moon ITALY, 1972. Film directed by Franco Zeffirelli, starring Graham Faulkner, Judi Bowker and Valentina Cortese. Here are the four songs by Donovan from this remarkable film.     Brother Sun, Sister Moon Brother sun, and sister moon I seldom see you, seldom hear your tune. Preoccupied, [...]

Thank you, Brother Francis Thank you, Brother Francis, for all that you help me to understand through your life, your writings, your spiritual experience. You teach me how to walk in the footsteps of the Son of God. You teach me, Francis, to live before God, with my labour, my weakness and my sin. You [...]

The Paraphrase of the Our Father O Our Father most holy: Our Creator, Redeemer, Consoler, and Saviour Who are in heaven: In the angels and the saints, enlightening them to know, for You, Lord, are light; inflaming them to love, for You, Lord, are love; dwelling in them and filling them with happiness, for You are Supreme [...]

Prayer before the Crucifix Most High, glorious God, enlighten the darkness of my heart and give me true faith, certain hope, a perfect charity, sense and knowledge, Lord, that I may carry out Your holy and true command. Amen.  

Prayer of Total Offering May the power of your love, O Lord, fiery and sweet as honey, wean my heart from all that is under heaven, so that I may die for love of your love, you who were so good as to die for love of my love. Amen.

The Canticle of All Creatures Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord, All praise is Yours, all glory, all honour and all blessings. To you alone, Most High, do they belong, and no mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your Name. Praised be You, my Lord, with all Your creatures, especially Sir Brother Sun, Who is the [...]

Prayer for Peace Lord, make me an instrument of your 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; Where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek [...]