St. Francis Mercer Ohio

Saint Francis is located in Mercer Ohio and is one of The Land of the Cross Tipped Churches. I have been to this church a few times but had yet to get a decent picture of the church. I manged to fit in a quick stop as I made my way back home from taking pictures at Pyramid Hill Park in Hamilton Ohio.

The church is named after St. Francis who was born at Assisi in 1182. After a care free youth, he turned his back on inherited wealth and committed himself to God. Like many early saints, he lived a very simple life of poverty, and in so doing, gained a reputation of being the friend of animals. He established the rule of St Francis, which exists today as the Order of St. Francis, or the Franciscans. He died in 1226, aged 44.



The historical marker gives a brief history of the church. Left click the picture for a larger view to read the sign.

St. Francis is featured in one of the two main stained glass windows. Here is a picture of the window along with the Prayer of St. Francis.

Prayer of Saint Francis

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.