Songs from our youth can remain in our hearts for life, like the soundtrack to our memories. A hymn based on the prayer of Saint Francis Assisi, that I learned in cathecism at age 7, has stuck in my mind ever since. In 1967, Sebastian Temple adapted it to music, in a song titled: “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace”. (see youtube video below).
Since then, it has been recited in various versions on numerous occasions, notably:
Mother Teresa recited it in her morning prayers at her Missionaries of Charity, and in 1979, when she received the Nobel Peace prize, she asked for the prayer to be said.
It appears in the book: “Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions”, by the Alcoholics Anonymous organization.
Margaret Thatcher paraphrased the prayer after she was elected Prime Minister in Britain in 1979.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize winner said it was “an integral part” of his devotions.
The hymn was a part of the funeral for the dear Diana, Princess of Wales on 6 September 1997. Sinéad O’Connor’s version was on the Princess Diana Tribute album.
In October 1995, President Bill Clinton quoted it to Pope John Paul II before he addressed the United Nations.
There have been many musical adaptations of the prayer, including one by Sarah McLachlan.
Here are the lyrics:
Make me a channel of your peace:
Where there is hatred, let me bring your love,
Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord,
And where there’s doubt true faith in you.
Make me a channel of your peace:
Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope,
Where there is darkness, only light,
And where there’s sadness, ever joy.
O Master, grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved, as to love with all my soul!
Make me a channel of your peace:
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
In giving of ourselves that we receive,
And in dying that we are born to eternal life.
^ Renoux, Christian. “The Origin of the Peace Prayer of St. Francis”.
photo credit: <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/h-k-