Today, is our anniversary. We recited the Prayer of St. Francis at our wedding and have it displayed on a small and simple plaque. It reminds me of what it means to be human, in relationship with another person, and in relationship with God.
When I was in Spokane, I printed a copy and put it on the wall of the small room I stayed in. I refer to the room as my monastic cell and the Prayer of St. Francis seems a fitting complement to any monastic cell.
During challenging moments, I recite parts of the prayer to bring me peace and be present in the world.
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.
The picture is one I took several years ago of Kathy standing above a set of waterfalls close to the headwaters of the Fraser River.
About ivonprefontaine
In keeping with bell hooks and Noam Chomsky, I consider myself a public and dissident intellectual. Part of my work is to move beyond (transcend) institutional dogmas that bind me to defend freedom, raising my voice to be heard on behalf of those who seek equity and justice in all their forms.
I completed my PhD in Philosophy of Leadership Studies at Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA. My dissertation and research was how teachers experience becoming teachers and their role as leaders.
I focus on leading, communicating, and innovating in organizations. This includes mindfuful servant-leadership, World Cafe events, Appreciative Inquiry, and expressing one's self through creativity. I offer retreats, workshops, and presentations that can be tailored to your organzations specific needs.
I published peer reviewed articles about schools as learning organizations, currere as an ethical pursuit, and hope as an essential element of adult eductaion. I published three poems and am currently preparing my poetry to publish as an anthology of poetry.
I present on mindful leadership, servant leadership, schools as learning organizations, how teachers experience becoming teachers, assessement, and critical thinking. I facilitate mindfulness, hospitality retreats. and World Cafe Events using Appreciative Inquiry.
I am writing and researching about various forms of leadership, how teachers inform and form their identity as a particular teacher, schools as learning organizations, hope and its anticipatory relationship with the future, and hope as an essential element in learning.
ivonprefontaine
Teacher as Transformer 
Happy anniversary, Ivon and Kathy. I have always loved this prayer.
Thank you Trish. I will pass on the well wishes to Kathy.
Beautiful. Congratulations!
Thank you Carrie.
Beautiful prayer. My best wishes to you both.
Thank you Shimon. It is beautiful.
Love you, darling!
Love you too. Who are you?
As always, I’m the love of your life! 😍 mwaaah!
Happy Anniversary! That’s a wonderful prayer.
Thank you Dan. It is.
I also love this prayer. What a wonderful idea to have it on your wedding! Happy anniversary!
Thank you Claire. We used it both my parents’ funerals. It has played a significant role in our lives.
Happy Anniversary! This is one of my favorite prayers and I have a recording of Skye Dyer singing this prayer. Since I just moved and do not yet have everything at my fingertips, I have printed off this prayer as a reminder until I find my framed one. Thanks!
Wishing you a Happy & Blessed Anniversary! ❤ I have this prayer on a card in my devotional journal and read it often… Sharing your post.
Thank you Bette. It is one I keep close, as well.
I love that prayer too. Happy anniversary! A loving marriage is a blessing.
Thank you Cynthia. They are: the prayer and marriage.
Happy Anniversary. 🙂 Well done, to you both!
Thank you
Congratulations. May your fields be ever green and birds sing most soulfully,with blessings of the Patron Saint of the Environment.
Thank you Roy.
Beautiful prayer !!! Happy Anniversary🌷
Thank you Lara.
Happy Anniversary and many MORE!
Thank you.
A very happy anniversary x
Thank you.
Most welcome x
Happy anniversary. “
Love is the most powerful force in the universe. That power is multiplied in relationships. Love`s potency is released most powerfully among people who have formed a relationship.“ Teilhard de Chardin on Love: Evolving Human Relationship
Thank you for the lovely quote. I enjoy reading Teilhard de Chardin. He provides a powerful insight into living, communicating, and loving.
Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
Happy anniversary! Excuse the late wishes Ivon! Michael
Thank you. I appreciate all wishes.
Just beautiful.
Thank you Michelle.
It’s the finest prayer. Thank you.
It is.
I love this prayer. Happy anniversary!