The Liturgy: A Timeless Source for Learning to Pray: In the Footsteps of Saint Francis of Assisi

The prayers, the scriptural passages, and liturgical texts pervade all the writings of Saint Francis of Assisi. Francis was literate, with a degree of education, yet without theological formation. His knowledge of Scriptures, prayers, and other religious texts that permeate his prayers stems mainly from the liturgy and the Liturgy of the Hours (esp. following the reform of the Breviary of Pope Innocent III). The Breviary, in addition to biblical passages, also included a significant number of patristic texts that would not otherwise have been available to him. Memorising the heard scriptural passages, liturgical texts, and prayers allowed their incorporation into his prayers. St. Francis creatively combines the fragments of liturgical prayers, scriptural passages, and patristic texts learnt from the liturgy with his own words. The process is well illustrated by the Breviary of the Mysteries of the Lord and the exposition of the Lord’s Prayer. The liturgy is the source of Francis’ spiritual life and prayer.