St. Francis Week: Canticle of the Sun

Creative Commons Prayer Podcast

Episode by Kyle Oliver for prayr.cc (CC BY 2.0)
Photo: “Cappella di S. M. Maddalena” by Christopher John SSF via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Music: “Easy Does It” by Kyle Oliver via SoundCloud (CC BY 2.0)

Happy St. Francis Week from Creative Commons Prayer!

Because he’s just that awesome, and his feast day is coming October 4. There’s a good chance a church near you is celebrating it this weekend with a Pet Blessing.

Today we have a slight modernization of his Canticle of the Sun. Centuries ahead of its time, it’s a prayer in praise of God’s creation.

Media links: Podcast subscription, SoundCloud audio, direct audio, prayer only, music only

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Canticle of the Sun by St. Francis of Assisi

Translated by Paschal Robinson (public domain) and slightly modernized

Here begin the praises of the creatures which Blessed Francis made to the praise and honor of God while he was ill at San Damiano.

Most high, most powerful, good Lord,
Praise, glory, honor and blessing are yours.
To you alone do they belong, most High,
And there is none fit to mention you.

Praise be to you, my Lord, with all your creatures,
Especially to my reverent Brother Sun,
who lights up the day, and gives us your brightness;
Beautiful is he and radiant with splendor great;
singing of your significance.

Praised be my Lord, for Sister Moon and for the stars,
In heaven you have formed them clear and precious and fair.

Praised be my Lord for Brother Wind
And for the air and clouds and every kind of weather
by which you give your creatures nourishment.

Praised be my Lord for Sister Water,
helpful and humble and precious and pure.

Praised be my Lord for Brother Fire,
By which you light up the dark.
Fair is he and joyful and mighty and strong.

Praised be my Lord for our sister, Mother Earth,
which sustains and keeps us
And brings forth diverse fruits with grass and flowers bright.

Praised be my Lord for those who forgive others for your sake
and bear weakness and tribulation.
Blessed are those who shall in peace endure,
for you, most High, will crown them.

Praised be my Lord for our sister, Death,
from which no living thing can flee.
Woe to them who die apart from you;
Blessed are those who find themselves in your most holy will,
For the second death shall harm them not.

Praise and bless my Lord, and give him thanks,
And be subject to him with great humility.

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