A Prayer Inspired by the Our Father
(Expositio in Pater Noster)

Two thirteenth-century examples of this type of commentary on the Lord’s Prayer suggest that this style of prayer forms a “catechism of prayer” offering strong attitudes toward, as well as images of, God. In fact, this writing is perhaps the only instance in which we find an example of how Francis responded to his brothers’ request to teach them how to pray.

¹O Our Father ^{Mt 6:9} most holy:
Our Creator, Redeemer, Consoler, and Savior:

²Who are in heaven: ^{Mt 6:9}
In the angels and the saints,
enlightening them to know, for You, Lord, are light; ^{1 Jn 1:5}
inflaming them to love, for You, Lord, are love;
dwelling in them and filling them with happiness,
for You, Lord, are Supreme Good, the Eternal Good,
from Whom all good comes
without Whom there is no good.

³Holy be Your Name: ^{Mt 6:9}
May knowledge of You become clearer in us
that we may know
the breadth of Your blessings,
the length of Your promises,
the height of Your majesty,
the depth ^{Eph 3:18} of Your judgments.

⁴Your kingdom come: ^{Mt 6:10}
That You may rule in us through Your grace
and enable us to come to Your kingdom ^{Lk 23:42}
where there is clear vision of You,
perfect love of You,
blessed companionship with You,
eternal enjoyment of You.

⁵Your will be done on earth as in heaven: ^{Mt 6:10} That we may love You

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Expositio in Pater Noster

¹O sanctissime Pater noster:
creator, redemptor, consolator et salvator noster.

²Qui es in caelis:
in angelis et in sanctis;
illuminans eos ad cognitionem, quia tu, Domine, lux es;
inflammans ad amorem, quia tu, Domine, amor es;
inhabitans et implens eos ad beatitudinem,
quia tu, Domine, summum bonum es, aeternum,
a quo omne bonum,
sine quo nullum bonum.

³Sanctificetur nomen tuum:
clarificetur in nobis notitia tua,
ut cognoscamus,
quae sit latitudo beneficiorum tuorum,
longitudo promissorum tuorum,
sublimitas maiestatis
et profundum iudiciorum.

⁴Adveniat regnum tuum:
ut tu regnes in nobis per gratiam
et facias nos venire ad regnum tuum,
ubi est tui visio manifesta,
tui dilectio perfecta,
tui societas beata,
tui fruitio sempiterna.

⁵Fiat voluntas tua sicut in caelo et in terra:
ut amemus te ex toto corde te semper cogitando,