A Lasting Inspiration

This poem is dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi, who lived with great joy and deep compassion, confident in Christ's Gospel.

The Canticle of
Brother Sun
and Sister Moon

by 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 coloured 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.

Photo of a flower

Reflection by Deborah Beach Giordano
October 6, 2019

Celebrating St. Francis of Assisi

Oh Francis, you fool,
you dreamer,
you mad and maddening man;
believing
where you had not
yet seen —
embracing
without hesitation,
loving
without conditions,
giving
without receiving;
building up
what others cursed
and cast down;

adoring God
shamelessly,
absurdly,
unstintingly,
ecstatically;

intoxicated by joy,

singing hymns
on streetcorners,
preaching Good News
to the birds,
giving hope
to the hopeless,
forgiving
the vilest sinners,
judging not —
and loving all;

finding good
because you sought it,
evoking kindness
because you lived it,
embodying Christ
because you saw Him
in every face,
in every place,
in every creature
great and small.

Oh Francis, you fool,
you dreamer,
you mad and maddening man,
touch my heart
with a spark
of your holy insanity:

let me love
as you loved,
in imitation of our Lord;
let me live
with deep compassion,
my soul inflamed
by the radiance
of God.

May Christ’s grace and healing love abound,

Deborah 

Suggested Spiritual Exercise

Rejoice!