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Christian : Catholic 13th Century	About Francis of Assisi Timeline (1181 - 1226)
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Original Language Italian	The Canticle of Brother Sun
Commentary by Ivan M. Granger Themes   Death   Fire   Garden   Light   Lotus   Recommended Books All Saints: Daily Reflections on Saints, Prophets, and Witnesses for Our Time, by Robert Ellsberg Canticle of the Sun: (Calligrapher's Series), by Francis of Assisi Francis and Clare: The Complete Works: The Classics of Western Spirituality, Translated by Regis J. Armstrong, OFM CAP / Translated by Ignatius C. Brady, OFM Francis of Assisi: A Revolutionary Life , by Adrian House God's Fool: The Life of Francis of Assisi, by Julien Green More >>	Most high, omnipotent, good Lord, Praise, glory and honor and benediction all are thine. To thee alone do they belong, most High, and there is no man fit to mention thee. Praise be to thee, my Lord, with all thy creatures, Especially to my worshipful brother sun, The which lights up the day, and through him dost thou brightness give; And beautiful is he and radiant with splendor great; Of thee, most High, signification gives. Praised be my Lord, for sister moon and for the stars, In heaven thou hast formed them clear and precious and fair. Praised be my Lord for brother wind And for the air and clouds and fair and every kind of weather, By the which thou givest to thy creatures nourishment. Praised be my Lord for sister water, The which is greatly helpful and humble and precious and pure. Praised be my Lord for brother fire, By the which thou lightest up the dark. And fair is he and gay and mighty and strong. Praised be my Lord for our sister, mother earth, The which sustains and keeps us And brings forth diverse fruits with grass and flowers bright. Praised be my Lord for those who for thy love forgive And weakness bear and tribulation. Blessed those who shall in peace endure, For by thee, most High, shall they be crowned. Praised be my Lord for our sister, the bodily death, From the which no living man can flee. Woe to them who die in mortal sin; Blessed those who shall find themselves in thy most holy will, For the second death shall do them no ill. Praise ye and bless ye my Lord, and give him thanks, And be subject unto him with great humility.   1226   -- from Francis and Clare: The Complete Works: The Classics of Western Spirituality, Translated by Regis J. Armstrong, OFM CAP / Translated by Ignatius C. Brady, OFM Amazon.com
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Commentary by Ivan M. Granger

St. Francis composed his masterpiece, the Canticle of Brother Sun, in three parts. The first part in praise of the beauty and holiness of nature as a reflection of the Divine, was written in the Spring of 1225, immediately after he received the stigmata during an extended meditation retreat among a group of caves.

The second section, the segment on forgiving and peace, was composed soon after in response to the squabbling of political and religious authorities in Assisi.

The final verses were written late the following year as St. Francis was dying, in which he seems to be welcoming "sister death."

This hymn is one of the first great works written in Italian. At the time, Latin was the language of the Church and of learning. Yet, as part of Francis's humility and affinity with the common people, he composed this praise poem in simple Italian so all could be inspired by it.

Praise for brother sun and sister moon, for the living wind and water and fire and earth. Praise for love and peace, without which the living awareness collapses to the bare minimum. And praise to death, who, in the fulness of time, brings completion and life's final initiation. What an amazing pageant we all are blessed to participate in!

Ivan M. Granger's original poetry, stories and commentaries are Copyright © 2002 - 2008 by Ivan M. Granger.
All other material is copyrighted by the respective authors, translators and/or publishers.