Canticle of the Creatures
A Poet’s Approach to the Canticle of the Creatures
St. Francis’ poem “Canticle of the Creatures” contains rich theology and story but what about its beauty as a poem?
Living into Death
I have encountered people who don't recognize their physical and emotional pain because they've never had the opportunity to experience it deeply.
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Sister Death
Throughout this canticle, we have seen how Francis saw God’s goodness, radiance and beauty in all creatures. He saw them indeed as benevolent friends, as brothers and sisters—as family. And now even the reality of death itself becomes “Sister Death” ...
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Love Heals, Builds, and Binds
When the realities of life hit, and you have lost everything, what is left is the stunning beauty of our relationships with one another, with this world, and with God.
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When Joy Swims
Like many who follow Francis, I've read “Canticle of the Creatures” over the years, but recently sought it out again for the words “to you alone, Most High, do they belong”.
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Animals Point Us to God
Francis treated animals kindly because they pointed toward God. Do you allow the animal stories about Francis to point you toward God?
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St. Francis, Contemplation, and Sister Earth
Franciscan contemplation opens the heart and mind to take in more of the world, its beauty and suffering. Contemplative practice dilates one’s heart, like a plant unfolding before Brother Sun’s energy. It heightens our consciousness—our awareness of relationships with God ...
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