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We are delighted to share these reflections for the Season of Creation which honour Saint Francis of Assisi on the 800th anniversary of his death in October 1226
The Canticle of the Creatures
The Canticle of the Creatures is believed to have been written by Saint Francis at San Damiano in 1224 - 1225.
Much had been written about the Canticle over the years since it was sung for Francis on his death bed. Certainly, Francis’ love of creation is a well-known and well celebrated aspect of his life and spirituality, but as Julian csf reminds us …equally important was Francis’ sense that because God had created all things and all people, he was Father of all, and therefore all people and all creation were brother and sister to Francis (Julian, 2001, p.57).
According to tradition, Francis had the friars sing the Canticle to him for the last time on his death bed at the Portiuncula in 1226. The Canticle was written in the common language, Umbrian Italian, rather than Latin and it is said that these verses were the first recorded poetry in the Italian language. Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si takes its name and its inspiration from the Canticle; Laudato Si - translating as Praise Be to You. This phrase is used throughout the Canticle of the Creatures.
Take time now to read the Canticle of Creation and consider Saint Francis’ acknowledgement of the elements of the created world.
Which of the elements stands out for you?
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Saint Francis - Patron Saint of Ecology
Francis is the Patron Saint of ecology and is renowned for his beautiful interactions with nature and his belief in the manifestation of divine love in all of the created world.
For the pilgrim of Assisi, the heavens declare the glory of God – and so do sparrows, wolves and worms. Our cells and our souls reflect divine wisdom and are constantly being energised and replenished, even inspired by God. In a God-saturated world, synchronous events populate our days, if our spirits and senses are open. Around each corner is a burning bush or a ladder of angels for pilgrims of the spirit. But, more than that, God wants us to move from mysticism to activism, midwifing and giving birth to God’s vision in our personal lives and public responsibilities. Synchronicities abound for those who live prayerfully, asking for guidance and then listening to God’s wisdom moving through their lives (Epperly, 2021, p.10).
How are you personally inspired and replenished in our God-saturated world?
In his feet gently moving over the created earth, in his consideration of the birds, the flowers, the sun, the moon, and the stones of the earth, Francis still teaches us. Most of all, I see Francis’s habits and attitude as part of his humility – something we need to recover. The earth’s resources are to be shared among its inhabitants and sustained by careful attention … (Sweeney, 2021, p.78).
How can you sustain the Earth with careful attention?
Even for worms he had a warm love, since he had read this text about the Saviour: I am a worm and not a man. That is why he used to pick them up from the road and put them in a safe place so that they would not be crushed by the footsteps of passersby… Whenever he found an abundance of flowers, he used to preach to them and invite them to praise the Lord, just as if they were endowed with reason … That the bees not perish of hunger in the icy winter, he commanded that honey and the finest wine should be set out for them … He calls all animals by a fraternal name, although, among all kinds of beasts, he especially loves the meek … (Celano)
These words of Thomas of Celano recall some of Saint Francis’ actions towards the created world.
Do you think that these actions would be considered unusual today?
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Some Prayers for Celebrating the Season of Creation
We are delighted to offer a selection of prayers which can be downloaded for use during the Season of Creation which runs from 1st September to 4th October each year.
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A Blessing of the Four Elements
This is a really lovely resource on the Four Elements which are lovingly referred to as Brother Wind, Sister Water, Brother Fire and Sister Earth.
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These resources are offered by Caroline Thompson, Head of Heritage and Spirituality with Mercy International Association and are taken from her book on St Francis.
They are all available to download as full PDF documents to allow for them to be printed off in full for use.
The Canticle of the Creatures - download PDF
Prayers for the Season of Creation - download PDF
A Blessing of the Four Elements - download pdf
ENDS