Catholic Poetry

SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISIUM

Saint Francis, favorite of the Infant Jesus,

Weeping in Bethlehem hot tears that tell
How deep the springs of love and self-devotion,

In that seraphic heart, that throb and swell.

Saint, Francis, lover of the poor and simple,

Friend of the birds, the lambs, the turtle-doves;
Brother of all God’s works, so fond and tender,

So full of sweet and holy, fervent loves.

Loves that were all for Jesus, Jesus only,

Loves that made earth a holy, sacred place,
A temple to God’s glory, full of worship,

Open to every tribe and every race.

Saint Francis, wed to poverty, for Jesus
Was poor on earth, and thou wouldst be like Him;
And then He came to thee and brought thee heaven,

And made all this poor world look cold and dim.

Saint Francis, crucified with love for Jesus,
With hands and feet all wounded like your Lord’s,
St. Francis, drawing thousands to His service

By the sweet power of your ways and words.

Dearest Saint Francis!—home-love makes me love thee,

For she, my sainted sister, bore thy name,
And loved her God and all His simple creatures

With a sweet love like thine, if not the same.

And now her child and mine delights to bear it,

And loves to follow in the path she trod ;
Bound by the same dear vows to the same service,

The service of her Saviour and her God.

Bless her, Saint Francis, make her ever faithful,
Zealous and earnest till this life is o’er,

And at the feet of Jesus and of Mary
She kneels a bride, on heaven’s golden floor.

POEMS FOR CATHOLICS & CONVENTS AND PLAYS FOR CATHOLIC SCHOOLS, BY THE SISTERS OF MERCY, ST. CATHERINE’S CONVENT, NEW YORK CITY (1874).