FRANCISCAN PRAYER

St. Francis is just about everywhere it seems, most frequently seen in backyard birdbaths. His presence is already all over the internet airways, too. My first Google search yielded a whopping 8,160,000 results! What more could I possibly say that hasn't been said? Not too much, I'm sure. Yet, I've been inspired to put this blog up and we shall see what comes of it.

This blog is created to bring the great depth, love, and joy of St. Francis, St. Clare, and their followers to the world wide web, mostly through their own words and the words of other Franciscans -- those who have gone before us and those who walk among us. This will include many saints canonized by the Catholic Church, as well as other men and women who have been inspired by Francis & Clare: holy men and women from one of the three Franciscan Orders and their many branches, as well as other friends and followers of these two Saints from the Middle Ages who still speak to us -- and through us -- today.



I'd like to begin with the prayer written by Francis himself that expresses most clearly the essence of who he was and is, his Canticle of the Creatures, also known as the Canticle of the Sun.



Canticle of Brother Sun and Sister Moon of St. Francis of Assisi



Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord,

all praise is Yours,

all glory, all honour and all blessings.

to you alone, Most High, do they belong,

and no mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your Name.



Praised be You my Lord with all Your creatures,

especially Sir Brother Sun,

who is the day through whom You give us light.

and he is beautiful and radiant with great splendour,

of You Most High, he bears the likeness.



Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars,

in the heavens you have made them bright, precious and fair.



Praised be You, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air,

and fair and stormy, all weather's moods,

by which You cherish all that You have made.



Praised be You my Lord through Sister Water,

so useful, humble, precious and pure.



Praised be You my Lord through Brother Fire,

through whom You light the night

and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.



Praised be You my Lord through our Sister, Mother Earth,

who sustains and governs us,

producing varied fruits with coloured flowers and herbs.



Praise be You my Lord through those who grant pardon for love of You

and bear sickness and trial.



Blessed are those who endure in peace,

by You Most High, they will be crowned.



Praised be You, my Lord through Sister Death,

from whom no-one living can escape.

Woe to those who die in mortal sin!

Blessed are they She finds doing Your Will.

No second death can do them harm.



Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks,

And serve Him with great humility.