Finding Peace in Creation with St. Francis of Assisi
- Fiach OBroin-Molloy
- Oct 1
- 3 min read
The Timeless Invitation of St. Francis
Every year on October 4th, the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, one of the most beloved saints in Christian history. Known for his radical simplicity, his kinship with creation, and his joyful trust in God, Francis speaks directly to hearts that long for rest, peace, and gratitude.
In our restless world, finding peace in creation with St. Francis is more than a quaint idea — it is a living invitation. Through prayer outdoors, gratitude for small gifts, and an openness to God’s presence in the natural world, Francis shows us that creation itself can become a sanctuary.
Prayer in Nature: Turning Creation into a Chapel
St. Francis often prayed outdoors, lifting his heart to God while surrounded by fields, forests, and streams. For him, creation was not a distraction from God but a window into His love.
You do not need a grand pilgrimage to practice this. A short walk in the garden, listening to birdsong, or pausing under a tree can become a prayerful encounter. St. Francis reminds us that God is present not only in church buildings, but also in buzzing bees, flowing water, and the steady rhythm of the seasons.
Practical tip: Take your rosary outdoors this week. Pray a single decade slowly, letting the sounds of creation accompany each Hail Mary.
Simplicity as a Path to Peace
Francis is perhaps best known for his vow of simplicity. He stripped away excess, not to make life bleak, but to make space for joy. By letting go of what weighs us down, we are free to notice the small, often overlooked blessings that surround us.
Simplicity doesn’t always mean giving everything away — it can mean choosing less: less noise, less clutter, fewer distractions. In this sense, simplicity leads to peace, because it clears a path back to God.
Practical tip: Choose one small area of your day to simplify. Perhaps step away from constant news alerts for an hour, or swap scrolling for a quiet prayer outdoors.
Gratitude for Small Things
Francis saw every creature and every moment as a gift from God. The famous Canticle of the Sun praises Brother Sun, Sister Moon, Brother Fire, Sister Water — teaching us to give thanks for even the simplest parts of life.
This spirituality of gratitude connects beautifully to the work of beekeeping and craft. Each bee’s tiny labour, each drop of honey, each hand-worked bead or carving carries a hidden richness. Nothing is wasted, and nothing is too small to give thanks for.
Practical tip: Begin or end your day with three simple thank-yous. They could be for a warm cup of tea, a friend’s kindness, or the beauty of autumn leaves.
Bees, the Land, and Handmade Craft: Echoes of Francis
Here at Paisley Honey, we often see St. Francis reflected in the gentle rhythm of the hives. Bees work together, in harmony with their surroundings, creating sweetness that sustains both them and us. Francis might have called them “little sisters,” praising their faithful work as part of God’s tapestry.
The same is true of handmade craft. When we shape a rosary, polish a bead, or engrave a cross, we echo Francis’s love for work rooted in the earth and in prayer. These physical, humble acts connect us back to creation, slowing us down to notice the sacred in the ordinary.
A Simple Franciscan Prayer Practice
If you’d like to honour St. Francis this October 4th, here is a simple way to find peace in creation with him:
Step Outside – even just for five minutes.
Pray the Canticle of the Creatures or a psalm of creation (Psalm 148 works beautifully).
Hold a Rosary or Cross – let the weight of handmade devotion anchor you.
Give Thanks – for one sound, one sight, and one small gift of creation around you.
Closing Reflection
St. Francis of Assisi does not call us to escape the world, but to enter it more gently, gratefully, and prayerfully. He shows us that peace is not found in owning more or rushing faster, but in slowing down, noticing creation, and remembering that all things speak of God.
This October 4th, may you find peace in creation with St. Francis — in the bees that hum at the hive, the handmade beads that slip through your fingers in prayer, and the quiet presence of God who makes all things new.
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