Prayer of Saint Francis
Despite its name, it was first published in 1912 in France by an unknown author; it is attributed to Saint Francis in spirit, not in authorship. Feast of Saint Francis: October 4.
Also known as: Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace · Peace Prayer
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is discord, union;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is error, truth;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is sadness, joy;
where there is darkness, light.
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 pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
When to pray
In conflicts, at work and in the family, and as a morning prayer.
Origin
The "Prayer of Saint Francis" is widely attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi, but its actual authorship is unknown and it emerged historically much later. The prayer first appeared anonymously in French in 1912 in a small Catholic spiritual magazine called *La Clochette*. It gained widespread popularity after World War I, especially in the English-speaking world, often being associated with Saint Francis. It is not part of the official Roman liturgy but is very popular in private devotion and peace movements.
In other languages
Oração de São Francisco (Português) · Oración de San Francisco (Español) · Preghiera semplice di San Francesco (Italiano) · Modlitwa św. Franciszka (Polski) · Panalangin ni San Francisco (Tagalog)