st francis of assisi

Canticle of the Creatures

Most High, all-powerful, good Lord,
Yours are the praises, the glory,
and the honour, and all blessing.To You alone, Most High, do they belong,
and no human is worthy
to mention Your name.

Praised be You, my Lord,
with all Your creatures,
especially Sir Brother Sun,
Who is the day and
through whom You give us light.And he is beautiful and radiant
with great splendour;
and bears a likeness of You,
Most High One.

Praised be You, my Lord,
through Sister Moon and the stars,
in heaven You formed them clear and precious and beautiful.

Praised be You, my Lord,
through Brother Wind,
and through the air, cloudy and serene, and every kind of weather,
through whom You give sustenance
to Your creatures.

Praised be You, my Lord,
through Sister Water,
who is very useful and humble
and precious and chaste.

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,
and who produces various fruit with coloured flowers and herbs.

Praised be You, my Lord,
through those who give pardon
for Your love,
and bear infirmity and tribulation.Blessed are those who endure in peace for by You, Most High,
shall they be crowned.

Praised be You, my Lord,
through our Sister Bodily Death,
from whom no one living can escape.

Woe to those who die in mortal sin.
Blessed are those whom death will find in Your most holy will,
for the second death
shall do them no harm.

Praise and bless my Lord
and give Him thanks
and serve Him with great humility.

Canticle of the Creatures

The Canticle of the Creatures was composed by St Francis of Assisi in 1225 in the last year of Francis' life. The canticle is a hymn of praise that recapitulates Francis's journey to God in and through the beautiful things of creation. This year, 2025, Franciscans all over the world celebrate the 800th anniversary of its composition.