Above all the grace and the gifts that Christ gives to his beloved is that of overcoming self.
Francis of Assisi

For it is in giving that we receive.
Francis of Assisi

Grant me the treasure of sublime poverty: permit the distinctive sign of our order to be that it does not possess anything of its own beneath the sun, for the glory of your name, and that it have no other patrimony than begging.
Francis of Assisi

I have been all things unholy. If God can work through me, he can work through anyone.
Francis of Assisi

If a superior give any order to one who is under him which is against that man's conscience, although he do not obey it yet he shall not be dismissed.
Francis of Assisi

If God can work through me, he can work through anyone.
Francis of Assisi

If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men.
Francis of Assisi

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.
Francis of Assisi

It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching.
Francis of Assisi

It is not fitting, when one is in God's service, to have a gloomy face or a chilling look.
Francis of Assisi


Lord, grant that I might not so much seek to be loved as to love.
Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Francis of Assisi

No one is to be called an enemy, all are your benefactors, and no one does you harm. You have no enemy except yourselves.
Francis of Assisi

Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.
Francis of Assisi

Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.
Francis of Assisi

Where there is charity and wisdom, there is neither fear nor ignorance.
Francis of Assisi

Where there is injury let me sow pardon.
Francis of Assisi

While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart.
Francis of Assisi