Canticle of Brother Sun and Sister Moon of St. Francis of Assisi
Canticle of Brother Sun and Sister Moon
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 colored 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.
Francis would be horrified if he found that people believed he taught that God most high “could be found” in nature. He understood all praise belonged to the Creator and that the creatures praise him. He offers praise through Jesus as do all the creatures.
ST. Francis believed all things created by God were related. He saw all creation as his brothers or sisters.
Thank you so much for promotion the meaningful message of St Francis of Assisi.
I assure you of my prayers for the success of your mission.
A Singarayar, PhD
When it’s sung and lyricized properly it’s the most moving song. I wept.
Dan, where did you find it sung? Love to hear it.
Br. Bob, TOF
I listened to this sung in English and then Italian. It made me cry. So beautiful. It really is the song of the heart.