800th Anniversary of The Canticle of the Creatures – Franciscans of Saint Bonaventure Province

800th Anniversary of the "Canticle of the Creatures"

Reflection from the Provincial

Many of us friars have been privileged to visit Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis, and the beautiful Umbrian countryside that surrounds it. Viewing the breathtaking landscape from San Damiano church we get a glimpse of the inspiration from which St. Francis wrote his epic Canticle of the Creatures – the Centenary which we as a Franciscan family will be celebrating throughout 2025.

The view was likely even more spectacular 800 years ago when Francis was convalescing and wrote it. And, while we know he was almost completely blind by the time he composed it, St. Francis saw through the eyes of faith and gives us a glimpse of what being so intimately in love with God and all His creation should look like: an outpouring of love and mercy to all people and all creatures! Some scholars suggest The Canticle is the final expression and confession of St. Francis’ life and summarizes his entire journey of conformation to Christ. In it, we can hear the song of praise of his faith in the fatherhood of God which proclaims the brotherhood and the sisterhood and the beauty of all creatures.

This 21st century celebration of the Canticle of the Creatures should lead us to examine our personal relationship with creation…shifting from possessing it to caring for our common home. Each of us should take this year as a wakeup call to how much we consume and its impact on others. Let us renew ourselves to embrace an ascetic life as consecrated men in obedience to God and followship and solidarity with the marginalized and poor. Each of us is called to radically witness the gospel values of peace, patience, and self-control in a modern culture that touts you can have it all!

As Pope Francis reminds us, “The harmony between the Creator, humanity and creation as a whole was disrupted by our presuming to take the place of God and refusing to acknowledge our creaturely limitations.” (Laudato Si’, 66)

May our Centenary Celebration of the Canticle of the Creatures help us to approach each other and the world in which we live with a new sense of wonder and grace, so that we may embrace the bonds that unite us to all creatures.

– Fr. Paul Joseph Langevin, OFM Conv.

Canticle of the Creatures (1225)

Most High Almighty Good Lord,
Yours are praise, glory, honor and all blessing.
To You alone, Most High, do they belong, And no man is worthy to mention You.
Be praised, my Lord, with all Your creatures, Especially Sir Brother Sun,
Who is daylight, and by him You shed light on us.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor.
Of You, Most High, he is a symbol.
Be praised, my Lord for Sister Moon and the Stars.
In heaven You have formed them clear and bright and fair.
Be praised, my Lord, for Brother Wind
And for air and cloud and clear and all weather,
By which You give Your creatures nourishment.
Be praised, my Lord, for Sister Water,
For she is very useful, humble, precious and pure.
Be praised, my Lord, for Brother Fire,
By whom You light up the night,
For he is fair and merry and mighty and strong.
Be praised, my Lord, for our Sister Mother Earth,
Who sustains and rules us
And produces varied fruits with many-colored flowers and plants.
Praise and bless my Lord
And give Him thanks and serve Him with great humility.

-St. Francis of Assisi