During this 800th Anniversary of the celebration of the writing of the Canticle of the Creatures, Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity Sister Laura Wolf shares a reflection on St. Francis of Assisi’ prayer poem. In this recording Sister Carmen Marie Diaz translates Sister Laura’s words into Spanish. Photo: Sister Mariella Erdmann
English Translation
Saint Francis was a holy and simple man who loved the Lord with all his heart and sought to praise Him daily. Instead of seeking the Lord in great and glorious opportunities, Francis found reminders of the Lord in everyday things in his life. He looked at ordinary things about him for clues of God’s presence. He saw fire, wind, the sun, the moon, the stars, water. Mother Earth, and even death as ways to experience God in his life.
Guided by these ideas, Francis composed the “Canticle of the Creatures,” a song that shared with all us the way he found God each day. In it, Francis praises the work and purpose of each creature, acknowledging how their very existence glorifies God. Each verse or stanza begins with the phrase “Glory be to you, Brother Sun or Sister Moon” and identified how this creature directed him to God.
For instance, he referred to Brother Sun as beautiful and radiant and Sister Moon as precious and comely. He acknowledged Brother Wind and Clouds for providing sustenance and praise, and Sister Water for being humble, precious, and pure. Notably, he describes Brother Fire as beautiful, joyful, robust, and strong. Each creature and their characteristic reflects God’s love and care for us.
Francis also included the hard things in life in his search for God’s presence. He recognized that sometimes each one of us needs to forgive others and to be forgiven ourselves. He also found Sister Death comes to us all. He praised God for these difficult times understanding that the hardships and challenges in life bring us closer to God. By experiencing difficulties and death, we also encounter God’s presence.
Finally, The Canticle of the Creatures calls us to respond as we “Praise the Lord. Give Him thanks and serve Him with great humility.” I encourage you to find a copy of this canticle, join Saint Francis in his praise of God and join in his efforts to recognize God’s presence in your own life.
Not sure of all the words of the Canticle of the Creatures? Text and video of Canticle of the Creatures found here.
