At Immaculate Conception Church and School we are very fortunate to have a variety of paintings and statues and posters and other representations of St. Francis of Assisi. Inside the church, located in the front on the left side, we have a beautiful wood-carved statue of him in which his arms are at his side in a gesture of openness to God’s plan for his life. Outside of the school there is a wonderful statue of him sitting on a log and interacting with different kinds of animals, showing his love for creation.
These works of art are physical reminders of the great saint and permanent deacon from Italy. For many years there were dozens of generous Franciscan Sisters who lovingly labored here at the church and school, living out the values of St. Francis and proclaiming the Gospel by their words and deeds. While St. Francis and his good friend St. Clare helped to make Assisi an internationally-recognized place of prayer their inspiring witness to Christ has transcended their place of origin.
On October 4
th
every year there is an Obligatory Memorial within the Liturgical Calendar to remember this holy person. His motto and special greeting for people that he would meet was, “Pace e bene!” These Italian words are pronounced as “Pa-Chey Eh Ben-Eh” and translated into English would be something like, “Peace and goodness!” Through the intercession of this saint whom we will celebrate next Thursday, may our lives be full of the “pace” of Christ and the “bene” of His Mercy.
