Comments on: For the Love of Saint Francis!

By: Donna Dreyer

Donna Dreyer — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 04:14:57 +0000

Thanks for your great story. I just found the website and I share my home with a westie and a yorkie (who was a rescue) and a great cat. They keep me going and I know exactly how you feel about Haze. Unconditional love is all they know. Thanks again!!

By: Warren P.

Warren P. — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:42:40 +0000

Check out the article on wikipedia about that prayer. Warren

By: Mike Hayes

Mike Hayes — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:37:14 +0000

Thanks for the kind words, everyone. Amie, my dog, haze, really doesn’t like other dogs either. And when I took him to one parish’s celebration he was also quite peaceful and quiet. Amazing.

Of course when I took him to another one that was outside he wouldn’t stop barking either! =)

By: Barbara Martin

Barbara Martin — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:16:26 +0000

Phil, thanks for the information. I first learned this prayer around 1965–it was printed on the paper book covers we were given to protect our text books. (Obviously, this is long before stretchy book covers were introduced). The front of the book cover had the standard depiction of St Francis with small animals and birds, but that was not nearly as arresting as the flow and symmetry of the words in the prayer on the back. There must have been a sponsor or advertiser listed, but I didn’t notice it. It is still one of my favorite prayers.

By: Phil Fox Rose

Phil Fox Rose — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:40:48 +0000

Barbara, I think this is a case, as is common in classical writing, of something being attributed to the great historic figure whose values and inspiration it is based on.

To the best of my knowledge, the prayer was written by a Catholic priest and published anonymously in France after World War I. It spread gradually and was often found stamped on the back of St. Francis prayer cards. This led to the confusion when it found its way to America, and this was then solidified when Francis Cardinal Spellman picked it up and promoted it with the attribution to St. Francis.

By: Barbara Martin

Barbara Martin — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:25:24 +0000

just following on the post about the authorship of the St Francis Peace Prayer–then who actually wrote it? Or does anyone know in what century and language it first appeared? Thanks.

By: Julie

Julie — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:06:09 +0000

Hey, I am a pet lover too. My dog Curley is my best bud. Just wanted to point out that the Peace Prayer you quoted was not written by Francis, it’s a common misconception. I guess I had to learn something after 4 years in a Franciscan High School and 4 years in a Franciscan University right?

By: Donetta Poisson

Donetta Poisson — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 16:33:17 +0000

What a wonderful story and a great way to remember God’s blessings. I have 2 adopted dogs that are my life. Sometimes, they can drive me to the brink (they are Jack Russell mixes). But, when I come home and they shower me with love & doggie kisses, the stress of the day disappears. Unconditional love: always.

By: amiehartnett

amiehartnett — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 04:18:11 +0000

I adore my pets and, like you, I am often amazed at the unconditional love and loyalty they display for my family members and me.

What amazed me when I took my fiercely protective (of me) Scottie dog, Megan, to a St. Francis day blessing a few years ago was that she did not bark at any of the other animals. In fact NONE of the dogs barked at one another or otherwise *misbehaved.* The only noise Megan made was howling along with the hymns! There was definitely something special happening there on that day.

Good for you for adopting a shelter dog – I hope you and Haze are blessed with many happy years together.

By: Ginny Kubitz Moyer

Ginny Kubitz Moyer — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 15:50:27 +0000

Mike, I’m loving this article. I’m not currently a pet owner, but it reminds me of past animals in my life, and what those relationships taught me about unconditional love.

My 90-year-old grandma is a huge animal person. She’s not online, but she will be getting a printed copy of this article in the mail. She’ll love it.