Saint Francis of Assisi candle
Peace at home, love for animals and a simple life, with the little poor man of Assisi
Saint Francis of Assisi candle
7-day candle · stays lit for 7 days7 dias
The Saint Francis of Assisi candle is the candle of peace that begins inside the home. Fighting between siblings, a couple that does not listen to each other, a pet that needs care, people tired of running after things. The saint appears in a brown habit, with a cord around his waist, surrounded by birds and sometimes by a tame wolf. The brown candle brings this simplicity to the oratory and to the corner of the house where the family prays.
Francis was born in Assisi, Italy, around 1181, the son of a wealthy merchant. He left everything, wore a sack of coarse cloth, and founded the order of the friars minor. He wrote the Canticle of the Creatures, which calls the sun brother and the moon sister. He died on October 3, 1226, and his feast day is October 4, the day when many parishes bless animals. He does not have a fixed orixá (orisha) in syncretism.
At home, this candle asks for a heart willing to yield. It does not solve a fight by magic: it helps to lower the voice, to apologize first, and to remember that no one needs so much to live well. It is a candle of gentle peace, without dispute, that combines with a simple house, an open window, and a plant pot nearby.
What is it for
What is the Saint Francis of Assisi Candle for
The brown candle of Saint Francis of Assisi has the color of the habit of those who gave up wealth to live with little. It is lit to ask for peace between those who live together, protection for the animals of the house, humility, forgiveness, and a simpler and lighter life.
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Peace between those who live together
For a home with couple fights, between siblings, or between parents and children. Light it asking that each one can listen to the other and that the first step of forgiveness comes from you.
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Protection for the animals of the house
Saint Francis is the patron of animals. Light it for the dog, for the cat, for the little bird, asking that they stay well and that you know how to take good care of them.
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Living with more simplicity
For those who are trapped in debt, consumption, or anxiety for having more. The brown flame helps to pray for detachment and to see what is already enough.
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Forgiveness and reconciliation
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace, says the prayer attributed to him. The candle is lit by those who want to make peace with someone and do not know where to start.
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Gratitude for nature
To thank for the harvest, the rain that arrived, the garden that yielded. The candle of Saint Francis reminds us that the earth, the water, and the sun are also siblings and deserve care.
To whom it is dedicated
The devotion to Saint Francis of Assisi
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Saint Francis of Assisi
The little poor man of Assisi, brother of all creatures
He gave up his inheritance to live in poverty and called the sun, the moon, and the animals his brothers. The brown of the candle is that of the Franciscan habit, and October 4 is the day of the feast and the blessing of the animals.
Also lit by
- Franciscan friars
- Protectors of animals
- Saint Anthony, brother of the order
Prayer to light
Candle prayer of Saint Francis for the peace of the house
“Saint Francis, brother of the sun and the moon, I light this brown candle in the middle of my house. You exchanged wealth for a habit of coarse cloth and became happier than before. Teach me to want less and to thank more. Where there is shouting in this house, let me bring calm; where there is hurt, let me be the first to ask for forgiveness. Look over the animals that live with us and over all those who have no one to care for them. May the earth that feeds me be treated with respect, and may this flame burn gently, like your faith. Peace and all good!”Light the candle and pray
Step by step
How to consecrate the Candle of Saint Francis of Assisi
- 1
Choose a place near nature
A window with a view of the sky, the balcony, or near a potted plant. Saint Francis prayed outdoors, and his candle likes natural light, but without wind.
- 2
Use simple things
Clay saucers, a common glass, a cotton cloth. No need for expensive decorations: devotion to Saint Francis is done with what you already have at home.
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Gather those who live with you
If the prayer request is for peace at home, call the family to light it together, even if it is just for one minute. If it is for the animals, keep the pet nearby, away from the flame.
- 4
Light it and say “Peace and Good” (Paz e Bem)
Light it with a match, greet the saint with “Peace and Good” (Paz e Bem), and pray the prayer on this page. Anyone can complete it with the prayer of peace, which is in the public domain.
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Return what remains to the earth
Do not blow out the candle. The water goes to the plant, the seeds go to the birds, and the remaining wax goes to the trash wrapped in paper.
Precautions before lighting
- With animals at home, the candle stays high and out of reach of tails, paws, and wings. Never leave it lit in a closed room with the pet alone.
- Saint Francis is a saint of peace. Do not light his candle to win a fight or to push someone away from the family: the prayer request is for reconciliation, not for victory.
- Those who are from a terreiro and want to link a saint to an orixá must ask the zelador of their house. There is no fixed syncretism for them, and each house has its own fundamento.
Ceromancy
What the flame of the Saint Francis of Assisi candle shows
Traditional terreiro reading. Before interpreting, check if there is no wind, crooked wick, or poor quality candle.
- Good sign
Low and serene flame
Many devotees read this as peace arriving slowly. The Saint Francis candle does not need a high flame: burning calmly is already the expected sign.
- Good sign
Flame that calms down after being agitated
Some read this as a fight losing strength. The initial agitation passes, and the house tends to follow the same path if everyone does their part.
- Attention
Flame that jumps and crackles
Some houses read this as nerves on edge in the environment. Before any difficult conversation, wait for the dust to settle and pray again.
- Attention
Dark smoke and strong smell
It could be a bad wax candle or accumulated weight in the house. Open the windows, clean the environment and, if the sign persists, ask for guidance from someone you trust.
- Observe
Candle that goes out with the wind from the window
Sign of a poorly chosen location, not of a prayer request refused. Move the candle to a protected corner and relight it with a match, without fear.
Ritual bath and smoke cleansing (defumação)
Herbs that combine with the Saint Francis of Assisi candle
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chamomile
Matricaria chamomilla
Calms the house and the nerves. A chamomile tea for the family before lighting the candle helps the conversation stay in a lower tone.
See the herb -
Anise / Fennel
Pimpinella anisum
Herb of sweetness and peace between people. A warm ritual bath of erva-doce before praying combines with a prayer request for reconciliation.
See the herb -
Lavender (alfazema)
Lavandula angustifolia
Perfumes and calms the environment. A sprig of lavender next to the saucer makes the devotion corner calmer, good for busy homes.
See the herb
Virtual Candle
Light the Saint Francis of Assis Candle now
Choose the type, write your request, and pay by PIX. The flame stays on the altar and you follow along through the link.
Place on the altarFrequently asked questions
Questions about the Saint Francis of Assisi Candle
What is the Saint Francis of Assisi candle for?
It serves to ask for peace between those who live together, protection for the house animals, forgiveness and reconciliation, and a simpler life. It is also lit to give thanks for nature, for the harvest and for the rain.
What is the color of the Saint Francis of Assisi candle?
Brown, the color of the coarse cloth Franciscan habit he wore. The Church does not fix a color, and many people use white, of peace. Brown has the advantage of reminding one of the earth and the simplicity that the saint preached.
What is the day of Saint Francis of Assisi?
The feast is October 4, the day when many parishes perform the blessing of animals. During the week, many people pray to him on Thursday, but there is no fixed traditional day. Light it when the house asks for peace.
Can I light the Saint Francis candle for my pet?
You can, and it is one of the most beautiful prayer requests to him. Light it in a high place, out of reach of the animal, and ask that it stays well. If the animal is unwell, take it to the veterinarian: the candle accompanies this care, it does not replace it.
Does Saint Francis of Assisi have an orixá in Umbanda?
There is no fixed syncretism for him. Some calendars place October 4th together with the orixá Tempo, and some people associate him with Ossaim (Osanyin) because of nature, but none of this is a consensus. Many houses receive him as a saint of devotion, without an orixá.
Can I blow out the Saint Francis candle and light it later?
You can, if you need to leave, but without blowing. Smother it with a saucer and relight it with a match when you return. The ideal is to let the candle finish on its own, in a safe place and without a draft.
