Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord, all praise is Yours, all glory, all honor 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 splendor, of You Most Hight, he bears his likeness!
Praised be You, my Lord, though Sister Moon and the stars! In the heavens You have made them bright, precious and fair.
Praised be You, my Lord, though 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, robust and strong!
Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, producing varied fruits and colored flowers and herbs!
Praised 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- the second death can do them no harm!
Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks and serve Him with great humility!
There are many theologians who believe that St. Francis, because of his great humility and correspondence to grace, has been given the throne in heaven left vacant by Lucifer. Whether this be true or not, he is the greatest of saints and most worthy of veneration. Read well the last part of his great canticle of praise where he mentions mortal sin! In the midst of all this great and inspired praise he gives a warning to us all. Let us heed him and be prepared at all times to meet Sister Death, so that we may live with Christ, the Blessed Mother, St. Joseph, St. Francis and all the saints and angels in heaven in glory and never ending joy!
St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us. Amen.
