Lent

[dreamflower]

The Canticle of the Sun

by Francis of Assisi

Most high, all powerful, all good Lord! All praise is yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing. To you, alone, Most High, do they belong. No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your name.

Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures, especially through my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day; and you give light through him. And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor! Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.

Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars; in the heavens you have made them, precious and beautiful.

Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air, and clouds and storms, and all the weather, through which you give your creatures sustenance.

Be praised, My Lord, through Sister Water; she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.

Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you brighten the night. He is beautiful and cheerful, and powerful and strong.

Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth, who feeds us and rules us, and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.

Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of you; through those who endure sickness and trial. Happy those who endure in peace, for by you, Most High, they will be crowned.

Be praised, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whose embrace no living person can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Happy those she finds doing your most holy will. The second death can do no harm to them.

Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks, and serve him with great humility.

(translated by Bill Barrett from the Umbrian text of the Assisi codex.)

Comments

[baranduin.livejournal.com]

I have literally two posts in a row in my flist posting something from St. Francis. How cool is that?

[dreamflower]

OK, I just had to check out your flist to see! You have some cool people on there--I found out one of my friends has another name! (She made an identical post that showed up in my flist as kerravonsen).

Anyway, I love that prayer as well. Years ago I did a calligraphy version of it as a gift for my mother. I think I still have a copy of it.

I went looking for this prayer by Saint Francis last night because I just finished a little book called Will I See My Dog in Heaven? written by a Franciscan friar, Father Jack Wintz. It's a rebuttal of all those people who say only people have souls, showing how God cares for all His creation and all his creatures. One of the things he quotes in the book was this canticle.

[kerravonsen]

I found out one of my friends has another name! (She made an identical post that showed up in my flist as kerravonsen).

I did? She did? What?

[dreamflower]

I thought this was you: http://ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com/3204556.html

But now that I look again, I guess it's just a link. I have a few friends with multiple accounts, so that explanation did not occur to me right away.

[kerravonsen]

Yep, she follows me, and apparently thought my post was worth linking to. 8-)

[shirebound]

There was nothing in his heart but joy and gratitude.