It
was through his archangel, Saint Gabriel, that the Father above made
known to the the holy and glorious Virgin Mary that the worthy, holy
and glorious Word of the Father would come from heaven and take from
her womb the real flesh of our human frailty. Though he was wealthy
beyond reckoning, he still willingly chose to be poor with his
blessed mother. And shortly before his passion he celebrated the
Passover with his disciples. Then he prayed to his Father saying:
“Father, if it be possible, let this cup be taken from me.”
Nevertheless, he reposed his will in the will of his Father. The
Father willed that his blessed and glorious Son, whom he gave to us
and who was born for us, should through his own blood offer himself
as a sacrificial victim on the altar of the cross. This was to be
done not for himself through whom all things were made, but for our
sins. It was intended to leave us an example of how to follow in his
footsteps. And he desires all of us to be saved through him, and to
receive him with pure heart and chaste body.
--
Saint Francis of Assisi from
a letter to all the faithful
