In early September, our School Captain, James Lee, delivered morning prayer for the whole school. As a Jesuit school, we encourage boys to be reflective and to seek to help those on the margins – as James’ says : “Never underestimate the power of doing something nice”
We hope you enjoy reading James’ morning prayer reflection.
Morning Prayer 5th September, James Lee, School Captain
Each month of the year, the Pope of the Catholic Church chooses a specific intention, and asks for our prayers. This month, September 2025, the pope asks us to pray for our relationship with creation, specifically inspired by St. Francis of Assisi.
When I read this, I was brought back about six or seven years to primary school. In 5th class, I remember I came 3rd in an art competition, and prize was a book titled St. Francis of Assisi. It was, obviously, a kids book, full of illustrations and colour, which detailed Francis’ life.
I vividly remember reading it before bed, and thinking wow, this chap seems like a very, very nice guy. He had an extraordinary life, as far as I could tell. At the time, I wasn’t really concerned with religion at all, so some of the stuff in the book, like Francis getting visited by very weird looking angels with six wings, was hard to believe. But I was still about as impressed as an 11 year old can be with this man’s remarkable life.
Similarly to St Ignatius, he grew up rich, and was a soldier. He was captured in battle, and while imprisoned, had a lot of time to think. When he was released, he returned to his hometown of Assisi, renounced everything he owned, and started giving away everything that he was due to inherit from his wealthy parents.
His father thought he was insane, so he locked Francis in a closet. After being freed by his mother, he fled to a church to escape his Dad. Later, his Dad dragged him home from the town and formally disowned him.
When I was reading the book as a cub I thought his father seemed like a nasty guy, that he didn’t care about Francis at all. Now I see that they may have just seriously misunderstood each other. It’s not easy to be fighting with a parent, and even Francis knew this feeling. It takes courage to follow the path we deeply believe is meant for us, especially if those we love don’t really understand it.
Anyways, from here Francis began a life of prayer, poverty and worship. He was especially known for his love and harmony with nature – he called the birds his brothers, and an almond tree is said to have bloomed in his presence. For him, every ordinary thing in creation carried a trace of the divine, and nothing was too small or insignificant to matter to God.
He lived in extreme poverty; as in, begging every day because he owned nothing except the rough-spun wool tunic on his back. He gave away his possessions to make room for more important things in his life, like gratitude, prayer and God Himself. By trying to cling less tightly onto our stuff, our status or maybe what people think of us, we can do the same, without having to give away everything we own.
What I think was most remarkable about St Francis, though, was his instinct to notice people who were ignored or pushed aside. He spent time with people who had leprosy, who were seen as untouchable, and cared for the sick and the poor when most others turned away. He treated them with dignity, like his own equals, which in his time would’ve been pretty crazy. This part of him stood out to me even as a young lad.
At some point in your life, you have or will come across people who have been ignored, pushed aside, or generally on the margins. It could be a homeless person, or a guy who’s been getting a hard time. I encourage you to be like Francis. Never underestimate the power of doing something nice; Love is shown more in deeds than in words.
When we hear ‘our relationship with creation’ I think we’re inclined to think about trees and nature and climate change and all the rest, but all of us are also part of God’s creation too, and therefore deserve to be treated with respect. Like Francis, treat everyone with dignity and as your equal, because they are your equal. Today, try your best to reach out to someone on the margins. I guarantee you won’t catch leprosy.
And remember, being kind is about the small things. St. Francis wasn’t respected because he had grand speeches or heroic miracles; he helped people in simple ways. The best place to start is small: one kind word, one generous action, one person at a time.
Thought for the day: ‘What can I do for someone on the margins?’
James Lee, School Captain
