MenoSunday; Life Lived Lovingly

October 4th is the Feast of St Francis. Pretty much everybody knows of this Saint, regardless of their philosophical or religious stance. Who cannot admire a selfless man of great austerity who operated from that universal base of capital 'ell' Love?!

St Francis (1181 or 1182 – 1226), founder of the Franciscan order of the Catholic Church, lived during the late 12th and 13th centuries in Italy. He is remembered for his generosity to the poor and his willingness to minister to the lepers. However, what many people recall about him is his love for animals and nature. St Francis died at Portiuncula, Italy in the late evening of October 3rd, 1226. The feast day, therefore, commemorates the passing of the man to the spirit and the mourning which occurred on the next day.

Many children around the world bring their pets to the church to be blessed on St Francis’ feast day because of his love for animals. Francis believed fully that the whole of nature was but a mirror reflection of the Holy spirit; the epitome of this belief manifested in the 'Canticle of the Sun' (sometimes called Canticle of the Creatures). On this day also, many plan a nature walk and teachers, caregivers or parents may spend time helping children write about plants, insects and animals that they see. For many educators, caregivers and animal rights organizations, this day is an opportunity to teach children about endangered or abused animals and what can be done to help save these animals. This feast coincides with World Animal Day. Due to the wide appeal, this means that St Francis is recognised by non-Catholics as well as the orthodox. There are many legends of Francis preaching to the birds and calming relations between a village and a wolf. Some may be apocryphal; but it is also true that there can be 'no smoke without fire'.

Francis was the full deal when it came to the practice of peace and Love; he sought to build cordial relations with the muslims of the middle East and due to the favourable light this put upon the order he formed, the Franciscans it was the who were accepted as the custodians of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem when the Byzantines finally took control. One cannot help but think the world is once more in need of a St Francis, someone to calm the savaging currently raging again in that region. 

Take a moment each day, dear readers, to centre your thoughts (and prayers if that is your inclination) upon Peace and Love; do not point them in any direction, they will know where to go. See only PaL in your hear and in your mind and in your Higher Self. Know them to be the dominant and prevailing force of the world. Doubt them not, no matter how the world tries to convince you otherwise.