Feast of St. Francis ~ Renewal and Holy Joy
Renewal
Holy Spirit
gift St. Francis prayed for
above all others,
enlighten the darkness
of our hearts
Always forward, never back
in humility, in faith
stronger, not wearier, with time
moving in charity
shining with zeal
When the Son of Man comes
will He find faith on earth?
Tend the fire in Your bride
sparkle and blaze in us
like in the Sacred Heart
Down so many fall in battle,
losing heart.
Up so many rise through mercy,
renewed, comforted
as You whisper the truth
Lord send out your Spirit
and renew… renew us
Beauty ancient and ever new,
that time would make us holier
and trials make us better
Holy, Holy, Holy
make us more Your family
united and discerning
joyful in the fight
glorious in victory
Holy Joy
“The devil rejoices most
when he can steal the joy
out of the heart of God’s servant,”
St. Francis said.
“The devil can’t harm the servant of God
he sees filled with holy joy.”
And so, I find my joy
close to you, beautiful Mary—
pure, graceful, sweet, strong
You walk with me
ease my troubles
sympathize and sing and speak
See me, doing God’s will,
things I want to and those I’d rather not
doing whatever your Son asks
“Rest in my presence—
loving, immaculate, sorrowful
Christ is within me, all around me.”
Beautiful Mary
our life, our sweetness and our hope
cause of our joy in this valley of tears
You accept us perfectly,
you crush the serpent’s head
full of purity, security, lightness
Never was it known
that anyone who fled to your protection
was left unaided
I fly to you
Blessed Mother and St. Francis
may nothing steal my joy!
Sr. Josephine, CFR
