A Franciscan Blessing

Above:  St. Francis of Assisi, by El Greco

Image in the Public Domain

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May God bless you with a restless discomfort about

easy answers,

half-truths

and superficial relationships,

so that you may

seek truth boldly

and love deeply within your heart.

May God bless you with holy anger at

injustice,

oppression,

and exploitation of people,

so that you may tirelessly work for

justice,

freedom,

and peace among all people.

May God bless you with the gift of tears to shed with those who suffer

from pain,

rejection,

starvation,

or the loss of all that they cherish,

so that you may

reach out your hand to comfort them

and transform their pain into joy.

May God bless you with enough foolishness

to believe that you really CAN make a difference in this world,

so that you are able, with God’s grace,

to do what others claim cannot be done.

And the blessing of God the Supreme Majesty

and our Creator, Jesus Christ the Incarnate Word who is our brother and Saviour,

and the Holy Spirit, our Advocate and Guide,

be with you

and remain with you,

this day and forevermore.

AMEN.

–Sister Ruth Fox, Order of Saint Benedict (1985)