800 Years of St. Francis · Day 17 of 31 · Saturday, October 17, 2026
Near the town of Bevagna, Francis was walking with companions when he saw a great flock of birds in the trees and fields beside the road. He told his brothers to wait, went over, and began to preach to them, reminding them how much their Creator had given them. The early accounts say the birds stayed until he blessed them. Afterwards, Francis criticized himself for never having done it before.
I am a photographer, and some of my best images come from moments I did not plan. Once, walking on a beach, some children scared up a flock of shorebirds, and before I knew it, my camera was in my hand. Later, looking at the picture, I couldn’t remember deciding to take it. I wrote in my notebook: “I am a camera, who cannot see, or even know why I took the picture.”
What Francis gave the birds was attention that nobody asked for and nobody paid for. He wasn’t trying to be useful. He was simply delighted to notice them, and he let that delight become a kind of prayer.
Notice today: What did you give your attention to today that no one asked you to?
The birds didn’t know they were beautiful. Francis told them anyway.
At San Damiano: Saturdays with St. Francis continues on Saturday, November 7, with “You Are a Saint!” led by Bro. Mark Schroeder, OFM, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, lunch included. Details
Day 17 of 31 · 800 Years of St. Francis: A Daily October Companion · spiritualbreak.com
Reflection © 2026 Michael J. Cunningham OFS.
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