Canticle of Brother Sun and Sister Moon of 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.

---

The legacy of Canticle of Brother Sun and Sister Moon of St. Francis of Assisi

The Canticle of Brother Sun and Sister Moon is a Christian prayer poem written by St. Francis of Assisi, a Catholic friar and preacher, in 1224. It is also known as The Canticle of the Creatures or the Song of All Creatures.

The prayer is believed to be one of the first works of literature written in the Italian language rather than Latin, and is an example of St. Francis’ love of nature and his connection to the environment.

In the Canticle, St. Francis praises God for the sun, moon, stars, wind, water, fire, and earth, referring to them as his brothers and sisters, and recognizing the interconnectedness of all living and non-living things in the world.

The prayer has been set to music numerous times, and has been translated into many languages. It is often recited in Catholic liturgy and is considered a significant piece of religious poetry, as well as a call to action for environmental conservation and appreciation of nature.