St. Francis of Assisi, deacon

A friend sent me this image, one I’d never seen before, of St. Francis of Assisi wearing a deacon stole. (Full image below)

As we enter more deeply into the Paschal Mystery this Good Friday and turn our gaze toward the one who was pierced for our sins, deacons in a special way recall this diaconal saint who also bore the wounds of Christ.

From a letter of St. Francis to his order:

Almighty, eternal, just, and merciful God,
grant us in our misery the grace to do for You alone what we know You want us to do, and always to desire what pleases You.

Thus, inwardly cleansed, interiorly enlightened, and inflamed by the fire of the Holy Spirit, may we be able to follow in the footprints of Your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

And, by Your grace alone, may we make our way to You, Most High, Who live and rule in perfect Trinity and simple Unity, and are glorified God all-powerful forever and ever.

Amen.

The full image:

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