Introduction

This is the day the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad! These days made by the Lord are now noticeably longer and warmer. Seasons end. Seasons begin. The dawn of a new season is always a good time to reflect on the wonder of creation; and to praise the Creator of all wonders. But Saint Francis of Assisi did not need a calendar to remind him to look for the joy and majesty in God’s works.

Wherever Francis went, he marveled at the beauty of every sunrise and every sunset. He listened to the delight of birdsong, the chirping of crickets, and the wind rustling through the trees in a forest. He was always amazed by the stars above, the waving grass in the deepest valley, and the rush of a river’s current. He gazed in awe at flowers and herbs and hummingbirds. One can only imagine his glee at the site of the grapes and olives growing in the vineyards and orchards in the fields below his hometown of Assisi.

Late in life and close to death, Francis suffered from blindness and painful stomach problems. He lived in a shack beside the Church of Saint Damian, the little chapel where his spiritual journey began, when Christ spoke to him from the now famous crucifix. In this humble place, surrounded by natural beauty, Francis wrote a song-prayer that is remembered as The Canticle of the Creatures. It was one of the first works of literature composed entirely in Italian.

Through this prayerful and deeply spiritual verse, Saint Francis reveals a profound mystical connection with God and with all of God’s creatures. He knows and loves every living thing as we love our families and closest friends. He refers to them with great respect, affection, and intimacy: Brother Sun and Sister Moon, Brother Fire and Sister Earth, and so on. In The Canticle of the Creatures, the Little Poor Man of Assisi sings of life. He sings of death. He sings of seasons.

Day by day, night after night, season upon season, God’s love unfolds upon the earth, upon each of us, and upon all peoples everywhere. God offers himself to us in everything that he creates. He shows us his creativity and power in all things as life ends and life begins again. Through this simple verse, Saint Francis brings us closer to all creatures, great and small; and to the God of Love, who is Creator and Master of the Universe, and the Father of Our Crucified and Risen Lord.

As we mark the change of seasons, we join with Saint Francis in his song of praise and thanksgiving to the Most High, who creates all things; and gives all things their breath, the life, and ultimately their rest. This is the day the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad! Praised be you, my Lord!

The Canticle of the Creatures
By Saint Francis of Assisi

Almighty and Good Lord,
yours are the praises, the glory,
the honor, and all blessings!
To you alone, Most High, do they belong,
and no person is worthy
to mention your holy name!

Praised be you, my Lord,
with all your creatures,
especially our Brother Sun,
who gives us the day
and through whom you give us light.
He is beautiful and radiant
with great splendor;
and he bears the likeness of you,
Most High Lord!

Praised be you,
my Lord through our Sister Moon,
and all the stars in heaven;
you formed them clear
and precious and beautiful!

Praised be you, my Lord,
through our Brother Wind,
and through the air, cloudy and serene,
and every kind of weather,
through which you sustain your creation!

Praised be you, my Lord,
through our Brother Fire,
through whom you light the night;
he is beautiful and robust and strong!

Praised be you, my Lord,
through our Sister Earth,
who sustains and governs us,
and who produces fruits
with colored flowers and herbs!

Praised be you, my Lord,
through those who show mercy for your love;
and suffer sickness and tribulations!
Blessed are those who endure in peace
for by you, they will be crowned!

Praised be you, my Lord,
for our Sister Death,
from whom no living creature can escape!
Woe to those who perish in mortal sin!
Blessed are those whom death will find
in your holy will,
for this death will do them no harm!

Praise and bless my Lord!
Give him thanks and serve him always
with great humility. Amen!

The Praises of God
By Saint Francis of Assisi

You are the Holy Lord God
who does wonderful things.
You are strong. You are great.
You are the Most High.
You are the Almighty King.
You Holy Father, King of Heaven and Earth.
You are three and one, the Lord God of gods.
You are good, all good, the highest good.
Lord God, living and true.
You are love and humility.
You are patience. You are beauty.
You are meekness. You are security.
You are rest. You are gladness and joy.
You are hope. You are justice.
You are moderation.
You are our riches to sufficiency.
You are beauty. You are gentle.
You are the protector.
You are our custodian and defender.
You are strength. You are refreshment.
You are our faith, our hope, and our love.
You are all our sweetness.
You are our eternal life.
Great and wonderful, Lord,
Almighty God, Merciful Savior,
forever and ever. Amen.

Our Father…

For our families and friends: Hail Mary…
For our parish communities: Hail Mary…
For our Holy Father, Pope Francis: Hail Mary…
For our departed brothers & sisters: Hail Mary…
For the poor, the sick, and the left behind: Hail Mary…
For all who have asked us to pray for them: Hail Mary…
For a greater respect and reverence for God’s creation: Hail Mary…
For an increase in faith, hope, and love around the world: Hail Mary…
For an increase in peace, justice, and solidarity around the world: Hail Mary…
For our divided country, our wounded church, and our suffering world: Hail Mary…

Glory to the Father,
to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us!
Saint Clare of Assisi, pray for us!
Our Lady of the Angels, pray for us!

About the Presenter

Cliff Garvey is a co-founder of the Assisi Project. He is a graduate of the University of Southern Maine, Saint John Seminary College, and the Catholic University of America. Cliff is a writer, spiritual director, retreat leader, and university lecturer. He also serves as Associate Minister of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport in Massachusetts where his ministry focuses on adult faith formation. Thank you for listening to Saint Francis Sings of Seasons. The Assisi Project Podcast is produced by the Assisi Project, Inc. For more information about the Assisi Project: A Fellowship of Franciscans in Spirit and our programs for adults of all ages and backgrounds, please contact Cliff at cgarvey@assisiproject.com. Copyright 2021. All rights reserved. May the Lord give you peace!

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ABOUT US

Founded in 2007, the Assisi Project is a Fellowship of Franciscans in Spirit with friends and followers throughout the world. We are dedicated to helping Christian believers of all ages more faithfully live the Gospel of Christ in the spirit of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi. The Assisi Project is a non-profit, tax exempt charitable organization. All are welcome to support our ministry via PayPal or AmazonSmile (see links below); or by sending a tax-deductible donation to the Assisi Project, Post Office Box 3158, Gloucester, Massachusetts 01931-3158. For more information about the Assisi Project, please contact Cliff Garvey at cgarvey@assisiproject.com. May the Lord give you peace!

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