Canticle of the Sun (St. Francis of Assisi)
St. Francis of Assisi composed the Canticle of the Sun (also called the Canticle of the Creatures) near the end of his life, around 1225, while he was nearly blind and in great pain. It is one of the first great poems written in Italian. In it, Francis praises God for Brother Sun, Sister Moon, wind, water, fire, and Mother Earth, and in the final verses even for Sister Death.
Pray it outdoors, at sunrise, on the feast of St. Francis (October 4), when blessing animals, or whenever you want to give thanks for creation. It is also a comforting prayer for those who are dying or grieving. The English below is the classic translation by Matthew Arnold (1865).
The Prayer
O most high, almighty, good Lord God, to Thee belong praise, glory, honour, and all blessing! Praised be my Lord God with all His creatures, and specially our brother the sun, who brings us the day and who brings us the light; fair is he and shines with a very great splendour: O Lord, he signifies to us Thee! Praised be my Lord for our sister the moon, and for the stars, the which He has set clear and lovely in heaven. Praised be my Lord for our brother the wind, and for air and cloud, calms and all weather by the which Thou upholdest life in all creatures. Praised be my Lord for our sister water, who is very serviceable unto us and humble and precious and clean. Praised be my Lord for our brother fire, through whom Thou givest us light in the darkness; and he is bright and pleasant and very mighty and strong. Praised be my Lord for our mother the earth, the which doth sustain us and keep us, and bringeth forth divers fruits and flowers of many colours, and grass. Praised be my Lord for all those who pardon one another for His love's sake, and who bear weakness and trial; blessed are they who peaceably shall endure, for Thou, O most Highest, shalt give them a crown! Praised be my Lord for our sister, the death of the body, from whom no man escapeth. Blessed are they who are found walking by Thy most holy will. Praise ye and bless the Lord, and give thanks unto Him and serve Him with great humility.
Sources: St. Francis of Assisi, Canticle of the Sun (c. 1225), translated by Matthew Arnold (1865), lightly abridged, public domain.
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