The Canticle of the Sun — St. Francis's Canticle of the Creatures
Most High, all-powerful, good Lord, yours are the praise, the glory, the honor, and every blessing. To you alone, Most High, do they belong, and no one on earth is worthy to speak your name.
Be praised, my Lord, with all your creatures, especially Sir Brother Sun, who brings the day, and through whom you give us light. He is beautiful, radiant with great splendor; of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.
Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars; in heaven you have made them bright and precious and lovely.
Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Wind, and through the air — cloudy and clear, and every kind of weather — by which you give your creatures what they need.
Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Water, who is so useful and humble, precious and pure.
Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire, by whom you light up the night. He is beautiful and cheerful, sturdy and strong.
Be praised, my Lord, through our Sister, Mother Earth, who sustains us and keeps us, and brings forth fruit of every kind, with colored flowers and green growing things.
Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of you, and who bear sickness and trouble. Blessed are those who carry them in peace, for by you, Most High, they will be crowned.
Be praised, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whom no one living can escape. Woe to those who die in deadly sin; blessed are those whom death finds within your most holy will, for the second death can do them no harm.
Praise and bless my Lord, and give him thanks, and serve him with great humility.
About This Prayer
Francis of Assisi composed this canticle around 1224–1225, near the end of his life, when he was ill and nearly blind — which makes its unbroken joy in sunlight, water, and wind all the more remarkable. Written in his native Umbrian dialect, it is one of the earliest surviving works of Italian literature, and the final stanza welcoming "Sister Bodily Death" was added as he was dying. The prayer is addressed to God from first line to last: Brother Sun and Sister Moon are not being prayed to, but pointed to, as reasons to praise their Maker. The version above is translated freshly from the Umbrian for this page, in plain English.
In Plain Words
If you'd rather pray the same heart in your own words: God, everything you made is praising you — the sun, the moon, the wind, the water, the ground under my feet. Let me join in. Teach me to forgive, to carry hard things peacefully, and to live so that even death holds no fear, because I am yours.
A Verse to Hold On To
"Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light." — Psalm 148:3 (KJV)