Saint Francis of Assisi: Selected Quotations

Today, October 4, we celebrate the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi (1181-1226), Founder of the Franciscan Order, “little beggar of Assisi,” and possibly the “most famous Saint” in history. Saint Francis’ simple devotion to the Lord, love of all creatures, deep faith, and life of service to his fellow man have inspired countless Christians to embrace the virtues of the Cross. The poverty and humility of Saint Francis reflected the image of Christ to all he encountered, and continue to do so today as we reflect on the life of this holy man.


A prolific writer and preacher, Saint Francis left us with many inspirational quotations to contemplate. Here are some of my favorites:

“Alms are an inheritance and a justice which is due to the poor and which Jesus has levied upon us.”

“Sanctify yourself and you will sanctify society.”

“It was through his archangel, Saint Gabriel, that the Father above made known to the the holy and glorious Virgin Mary that the worthy, holy and glorious Word of the Father would come from heaven and take from her womb the real flesh of our human frailty. Though he was wealthy beyond reckoning, he still willingly chose to be poor with his blessed mother. And shortly before his passion he celebrated the Passover with his disciples. Then he prayed to his Father saying: “Father, if it be possible, let this cup be taken from me.” Nevertheless, he reposed his will in the will of his Father. The Father willed that his blessed and glorious Son, whom he gave to us and who was born for us, should through his own blood offer himself as a sacrificial victim on the altar of the cross. This was to be done not for himself through whom all things were made, but for our sins. It was intended to leave us an example of how to follow in his footsteps. And he desires all of us to be saved through him, and to receive him with pure heart and chaste body. Let us also love our neighbors as ourselves. Let us have charity and humility. Let us give alms because these cleanse our souls from the stains of sin. Men lose all the material things they leave behind them in this world, but they carry with them the reward of their charity and the alms they give. For these they will receive from the Lord the reward and recompense they deserve. We must not be wise according to the flesh. Rather we must be simple, humble and pure. We should never desire to be over others. Instead, we ought to be servants who are submissive to every human being for God’s sake. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on all who live in this way and persevere in it to the end. He will permanently dwell in them. They will be the Father’s children who do his work.”

“Jesus is happy to come with us, as truth is happy to be spoken, as life to be lived, as light to be lit, as love is to be loved, as joy to be given, as peace to be spread.”

"But as for me, I desire this privilege from the Lord, that never may I have any privilege from man, except to do reverence to all, and to convert the world by obedience to the Holy Rule rather by example than by word."

"If we endure things patiently and with gladness thinking on the sufferings of our blessed Lord, and bearing all for the love of Him: herein is perfect joy."

“All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.”

“It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching.”

“Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible."

"The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today"

"He who works with his hands is a laborer.
He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman.
He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist."

"Preach the gospel always, and when absolutely necessary, use words."

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

"Keep trying to do what is necessary, then what's possible and suddenly you're doing the impossible."

"Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that have received--only what you have given."

"True progress quietly and persistently moves along without notice."

"I have been all things unholy. If God can work through me, He can work through anyone."

"Nor did demons crucify Him; it is you who have crucified Him and crucify Him still, when you delight in your vices and sins. "

"Preach the gospel always. Use words if necessary "

"I have sinned against my brother the ass."

"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."

"When you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart."

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

"Sanctify yourself and you will sanctify society."

”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.”

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

”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.”

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

”Where there is charity and wisdom, there is neither fear nor ignorance.”

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