Saint Francis and the Angel

Saint Francis with an angel playing the violin
by Guercino (1591-1666)

An angel appeared with a blessing for Saint Francis of Assisi holding a violin and a bow.  The angel said he would play for Saint Francis as the angels play before the throne of God.  Then the angel drew the bow across the violin string, making only a single resounding note.  The beloved Saint was filled with such joy by that one sound that had there been any more, his soul would have left his body. 

Many stories surround the life of Saint Francis and his love for animals. Stories about his preaching to the birds or befriending a rabbit, and taming a wolf. 

 Francis had been a rich young man from Assisi who renounced wealth and founded the Franciscan order of friars in 1290.  Saint Francis is known as the patron saint of animals, and praised all creatures as brothers and sisters under God.

Just as Saint Francis was blessed with one musical note from an angel, we, too, can receive blessings from God and so turning bless others. 

Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, let me sow pardon.
Where there is doubt, let me sow faith.
Where there is despair, let me sow hope.
Where there is darkness, let me sow light.
Where there is sadness, let me sow 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 the pardoning that we are pardoned.
It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

 
          --St. Francis of Assisi