(Image: Sister Artists – Sisters of St. Francis)

Every Wednesday we invite you to Pause & Pray with us. Today’s reflection is written/curated by Brigid Dwyer.

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Today, many Christians are celebrating the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. He was known for many things, including founding a monastic order (Franciscans), a life of voluntary poverty, care for creation, the miraculous appearance of the stigmata (the crucifixion wounds of Christ) on his body, and has attributed to him a beloved prayer that many still pray regularly today. Francis is the patron saint of the poor, of ecology, of animals, as well as the nation of Italy. He is also the namesake of the current Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis. In many Christian denominations, worship services on the Sunday nearest to St. Francis’s Day holds space for the blessing of animals, as animals were particularly dear to Francis.

PRAY:

For our prayer today, let us pray a less well-known prayer of Francis, one that celebrates all of God’s creation, and that Francis asked his brothers to sing to him as he passed from this life to the next, 797 years ago today.

Canticle of Brother Sun and Sister Moon

Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord, All praise is Yours, all glory, all honour and all blessings.

To you alone, Most High, do they belong, and no mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your Name.

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

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars,
In the heavens you have made them bright, precious and fair.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air,
And fair and stormy, all weather’s moods,
by which You cherish all that You have made.

Praised be You my Lord through Sister Water,
So useful, humble, precious and pure.

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,
producing varied fruits with colored flowers and herbs.
Praise be You my Lord through those who grant pardon for love of You and bear sickness and trial.

Blessed are those who endure in peace, By You Most High, they will be crowned.

Praised be You, my Lord through Sister Death,
from whom no-one living can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Blessed are they She finds doing Your Will.

No second death can do them harm. Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks,
And serve Him with great humility.

MEDITATE:

For our meditation, let us contemplate a saying often falsely attributed to Francis, but one which is directly in line with his theology: “Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words.” For a deeper meditation on this theme, please see this gorgeous, brief write-up from the Catholic Apostolate Center: https://www.catholicapostolatecenter.org/blog/preach-the-gospel-at-all-times-use-words-when-necessary

LISTEN:

And to listen, enjoy Sarah McLachlan’s peerless setting of the prayer most often associated with Francis, “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace”
https://www.sarahmclachlan.com/track/prayer-of-st-francis/