Franciscan · 1181/82–1226
Francis of Assisi
The little poor man · brother to all creation
Francis of Assisi gave up wealth to live a radical Gospel poverty, and saw all of reality as one family under God. His unique gift was to address the creatures not as objects but as kin — Brother Sun, Sister Moon, Sister Water, Brother Fire, Sister Mother Earth.
Near the end of his life, sick and nearly blind, sheltered in a hut at San Damiano, he composed the Canticle of the Creatures — the oldest surviving poem in the Italian vernacular. From within great suffering broke an overwhelming gratitude.
The stanza on forgiveness was added later, at a reconciliation between the bishop and the magistrate of Assisi; the stanza welcoming 'Sister Bodily Death' was added, tradition says, as he was dying. He praised God not over creation but with it.
St Francis of Assisi by Jusepe de Ribera (public domain)
Ways to pray
with Francis of Assisi
