St. Francis of Assisi - March 28

How the Brothers Are to Preach to the People

"All my brothers, whenever they wish, may proclaim to anyone and everyone, with the blessing of God, the following or a similar exhortation and prayer of praise:

   Fear and honor, praise and bless,
   give thanks and adore
   the Lord God All-Powerful,
   Triune and One,
   Father and Son and Holy Spirit,
   Creator of all things.  
   Repent!  (Mt 3:2)
   Bring forth fruits worthy of repentance,
   for you know how soon we die!  
   'Give, and there will be gifts for you' (Lk 6:38).
   'Forgive, and you will be forgiven'  (Lk 6:37).
   And 'if you do not forgive others, your Father will
   not forgive your failings either' (Mt 6:15).
   'Confess your sins to one another' (Jm 5:16).
   Blessed  are you who die in repentance,
   for you will be in the kingdom of heaven.
   Woe to those who do not die in repentance,
   for you will be children of the devil
   whose co-workers you are,
   and you will go into fire everlasting.
   Guard yourselves and abstain
   from every evil and persevere
   in good unto the end."  --St. Francis, Rule of 1221, Chapter XXII

Acknowledging God's position in our lives through praise, repentance, and perseverance in being His Light in a dying world is still how we are to live.