Our School Patron
The patron of St Francis’ School is St Francis of Assisi who abandoned a life of luxury and privilege for a simplistic life devoted to God. He spent his days following the teachings of the Gospel by helping the less fortunate and those marginalised by society.
His Holy and simple lifestyle inspired many to follow him. His companions came from all walks of life – from fields and towns, the noble and the common, the merchant and the Church. St Francis practised true equality by showing honour, respect and love to every person he met regardless of their background and socio economic standing.
He founded the Franciscan Men’s Order of Friars Minor, the Women’s Order of St Clare, and The Third Order also known as The Order of Brothers and Sisters of Penance. He composed a simple rule for all his followers which he called Regula primitive (Primitive Rule) “Follow the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ and to walk in his footsteps".
He travelled the world, bringing the word of God to the faithful. Then after hearing a call from God, he returned to Italy to continue the rebuild of the Christian church, both metaphorically and physically. St Francis and his followers rebuilt many deserted and dilapidated church buildings in and around Assisi, among them the Porziuncola and the little chapel of St. Mary of the Angels.
On 16 July 1228, he was proclaimed a saint by Pope Gregory IX and is known as the Patron Saint of animals and the natural environment. St Francis is one of the most venerated religious figures in history.
The life of St Francis of Assisi offers a compelling role model for the students and staff of St Francis’ School, and is a strong reminder to follow the example of St Francis and the beatitudes of Jesus Christ – love God and love one another.
St Francis of Assisi Feast Day: October 4th.
Quotes from St Francis of Assisi
“Start by doing what is necessary, then do what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible”
“I have been all things unholy; If God can work through me, He can work through anyone”
“Remember when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received only what you have given:
A heart enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage”
Tau Cross
The Tau is the sign used by St Francis of Assisi to wish peace to all he met. He adopted the Tau as his own symbol. For St Francis, the Tau represented lifelong fidelity to the Passion of the Christ, and a reminder to be an example of compassion for God's people.
We have used the Tau as the inspiration for the paving design in the front garden as you enter the school.
Our School Prayer
St Francis,
Help me to jump into this day, full of joy and hope
Help me to see every problem as a learning opportunity.
To myself and others, let me show respect,
act responsibly, believe in myself and learn to belong to our school community.
Amen
St Francis' Prayer
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace,
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O’ Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
it is in dying that we are born again to external life
