Br. Vince Delorenzo, OFM, with Gracie, his Senegal Parrot in the Franciscan Mission office.
Happy Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, a saint for all times, a saint for all people.
On October 4, Christians around the world remember one of the great heroes of our faith, and the current pope’s namesake.
Thank you for joining our celebration of this great saint by praying the Solemn Novena to St. Francis for the last nine days.
Francis preached peace in a time when life without war was unthinkable. He embraced the poor while others treated them with scorn. And he allied himself with nature centuries before humanity understood its connection to every living thing. Eight hundred years later, we Franciscans are still inspired to walk and follow in his footsteps.
If you would like to say this novena again on your own, you can visit our prayer page.
“The great poem by St. Francis, The Canticle of the Creatures, sums up the whole of Francis’ spirituality,” explains Fr. Murray Bodo (the voice of our St. Francis Novena) in this video above by Franciscan Media.
Follow along with Fr. Murray in the video below as he reads, The Canticle of the Creatures, or read the poem at your own pace.
The Canticle of the Creatures
By St. Francis of Assisi
Most High, all-powerful,
good Lord,
yours is the praise,
the glory and the honor and every blessing.
To you alone, Most High,
do they belong,
and no one is worthy
to speak your name.
Praised be you, my Lord
with all your creatures,
especially Sir Brother Sun,
who is the day through whom
you bring us light.
And he is lovely, shining
with great splendor,
for he heralds you, Most High.
Praised be you, my Lord,
through Sister Moon and Stars.
In heaven you have formed them,
lightsome and precious and fair.
And praised be you, my Lord,
through Brother Wind, through
air and cloud, through calm
and every weather by which
you sustain your creatures.
Praised be you, my Lord,
through Sister Water,
so very useful and humble,
precious and chaste.
Praised be you, my Lord
through Brother Fire,
by whom you light up
the night, and he is
handsome and merry,
robust and strong.
Praised be you, my Lord,
through our Sister, Mother Earth,
who sustains us and directs us
bringing forth all kinds of fruits
and colored flowers and herbs.
Praised be you, my Lord
through those who forgive
for your love
and who bear sickness and trial.
Blessed are those
who endure in peace,
for by you, Most High,
they will be crowned.
Praised be you, my Lord,
through our Sister Bodily Death
from whom no living being
can escape.
How dreadful for those
who die in mortal sin!
How blessed are those she
finds in your most holy will
for the second death
can do them no harm.
O praise and bless my Lord,
thank him and serve him
humbly but grandly!
More Franciscan prayers are on our Prayer page.
Find events celebrating the Feast of St. Francis 2019.
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