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The Essential Good News

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Mary

Saint Francis - wounded healer

• St Francis
• A Song from Francis to Clare
• A Song from Francis to God
• Portrait of a poor man
• Testament
• Blessing

Saint Clare, the new woman

• St Clare
• A Letter from Clare
• A Clare Icon
• Form of Life
• Testament
• Blessing

Saint Colette, Faith in the future

• St Colette
• A letter from Colette
• Testament
• Paul Claudel's Song for Colette
• Henry VIII on Colette
• Blessing
• The Chaplet of St Colette

.... This is the song, usually called the Canticle of the Creatures, that Francis composed whilst he was living at San Damiano's. This is the canticle of a blind man who is praising God for a
sun he can no longer see.
.... He wanted his brothers to go round the World singing it and axhorting people to turn to the Lord.
.... Brother Pacifico, who had been the Prince of Poets before his conversion sang the music which has not survived. We give a TMD version here. The prose translation follows below.

Click to enlarge

Music and lyrics © TMD 2000

....

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 to 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 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, they shall 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 great humility.