Canticle of the Creatures
Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord,
all praise is Yours, all glory,
all honor 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 splendor,
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 colored flowers
and herbs.
Praised 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.
This article is from Christian History magazine #119 The Wonder of Creation. Read it in context here!
By Francis of Assisi
[Christian History originally published this article in Christian History Issue #119 in 2016]
Francis of Assisi was founder of the Franciscan orderNext articles
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