St. Francis Canticle of the Creatures: Felician Village Windows

During this special anniversary year for St. Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of the Creatures, Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Sister Laura Wolf reflects on this poetry dear to the hearts of many while we share the beauty of the stained-glass windows at the Blessed Mary Angela Chapel at Felician Village, Manitowoc, Wisconsin.  

At the time of its composition Francis was nearing the end of his life and was suffering from the many challenges of sickness and aging. Francis needed to take time to rest and pray as the end drew near. However, he had a difficult time resting and praying as he found himself disturbed by the many interruptions of nature. There were mice scurrying around his bed, birds chirping noisily outside his window, dust and noise of the countryside keeping him awake and his near blindness found him discouraged and depressed.  In this torment Francis was unable to pray and praise God the way he wanted to. As he struggled with his humanness, he came to recognize in his heart that creation and its contents were his brothers and sisters and they, like him, lift their voice in praise to his Lord. They would be his path to praise in this profound moment Francis’s ongoing conversion. This Canticle identifies the many ways the world about him found ways to praise and rejoice in the love of God. And so he began:

Most high, all powerful, good Lord, yours are the praises, the glory, and the honor, and all blessings. To you alone, Most High, do they belong. And no human is worthy to mention Your name.

As we pondered the words of Francis, we were delighted to find a special place nearby which has translated this beautiful poem into stained glass windows.  We have been gifted to share these windows from St Mary’s Nursing Home Blessed Mary Angela Chapel (see above) as we reflect on the words of Francis.