Abingdon 5: Novena to St Francis

St Francis preaching to the birds - Giotto

Jo Lewry of CAFOD Portsmouth shares CAFOD's resources for the Season of Creation 1 September - 4 October as part of the Abingdon parish series.

To mark Creation Time CAFOD has prepared a Novena to St Francis, which offers nine reflections asking St Francis to pray for us and our world based on the Canticle of the Sun, a Prayer of St Francis of Assisi.

This novena is a song of penitence and praise, guiding us to care for the Earth and for our most vulnerable sisters and brothers, especially the Amazon peoples. They are currently under grave risk from coronavirus, given their fragile situation, often in remote locations far from government services. Communities with whom we work are reporting a sharp increase in predatory attacks on land. People smugglers are also active and those being trafficked are in more danger than ever, having no access to healthcare.

The pandemic shows us that, "we have not heard the cry of the poor and our seriously ill planet" warns Pope Francis, describing this a,s "a time to choose what matters and what passes away." (Urbi et Orbi, 2020)

These video prayers can be used over nine days or at nine moments of personal prayer. Each has four phases: Canticle; Amazon voice; penitential prayer; plea for intercession. You can download the prayers or watch the videos -

https://cafod.org.uk/Pray/Prayer-resources/Novena-to-St-Francis

First Prayer - The Sun

"We praise you, Lord, for all your creatures, especially for Brother Sun, who is the day through whom you give us light." (St Francis of Assisi)

"I dream that this Amazon, so beautiful and diverse, a gift from God,

this Earth which gives life, our life, our mother, is not transformed into a desert."

(Fr Henri de Roziers, Pastoral Land Commission, Brazil)

Creator God,

We are nourished by your radiance. Forgive us for the harm we cause your Earth, the heat and drought unleashed by climate change.

St Francis, you loved our sacred world, you praised God ceaselessly for the dazzling creation.

May we learn from your example.

St Francis, pray for us.