Notre Dame Women’s Liturgical Choir – The 40 dedicated members of the Women’s Liturgical Choir offer music for the 5 P.M. Saturday Vigil Mass in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, including the Masses following Notre Dame home football games.

This prayer first appeared in the early 20th century and is traditionally attributed to St. Francis of Assisi. Even though he is not the author, this prayer beautifully reflects his spirituality. In this season of Lent, how can these words challenge us to turn our hearts to God, both in prayer and in action? In challenging times, how can we bring hope where there is despair? How can we be joyful in the Lord during a time of sadness? When we ourselves are sorely in need of consolation, how can we find the strength to console others? We can do all of this, but only if we turn to the Lord. He is the one who will fashion us into instruments of his peace.

(Lyrics)
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,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.

“Prayer of St. Francis” composed by Olukola Owolabi.
Copyright © 1999. All rights reserved.

Image: St. Francis of Assisi statue, Breen Phillips Hall Chapel

For more songs, please visit Songs of Notre Dame: A Lenten Offering