Brother Sun, Sister Moon: Praying anew the Canticle of St Francis
Did you know it is 800 years since St Francis wrote the Canticle of the Creatures? On 2 October a number of Catholic and ecumenical groups gathered together in Farm Street Church to hold the new Mass for the Care of Creation in celebration of this song of praise.
It was a beautiful time of prayer, reflection and community.
After the Mass for the Care of Creation, led by Father Dominic, MaryAnne Francalanza FCJ spoke about the Canticle of the Creatures, leading to a time of prayer and reflection as the congregation moved silently between the different prayer stations as music was played.
MaryAnne’s reflection can be found here. Talking about the Canticle, she says:
If we notice the wording of the Canticle, Francis is saying ‘all praise to you through Brother Sun …’. The praise goes to God not only through Francis but through each created thing. They have agency, they give praise to God by being and doing what they were created to be and do. The sun by bringing light, the moon by being bright and fair, the wind by its various moods, etc.. And so must we. Humanity must give praise to God by being and doing what we were created to do – be peacemakers, justice-makers, reconcilers, gardeners, lovers. When we do the opposite, when we are selfish, divisive and unforgiving not only are we not praising God, but according to Francis, we are also not being fully human.
The chapels around the church held prayer spaces set up by the many different organisations involved in holding the service, all inviting people to reflect on a particular aspect of their work. The invitation and details of each organisation can be found on this service sheet, together with the words for the Canticle itself. Green Christian and Christian Climate Action warmly invited us to reflect on what love is calling you to do.
One of the chapels displayed the Sacred Icons of Threatened and Endangered Species by Angela Manno and we were invited to join St Francis in writing a new verse to the Canticle, maybe for Cousin Penguin, sister Frog, or brother Wolf.
The event ended, of course, with the hymn All creatures of our God and King – sung with gusto – followed by tea, wine, food and conversation.
Comments on "Brother Sun, Sister Moon: Praying anew the Canticle of St Francis"
Judith Russenberger:
Praise be you my Lord, through Sister Bee who kisses each bloom and flower as busily she garners their bounty.
Helen Elwes:
It was an honour to have my Mother of Mercy painted banner displayed in the Laudato Si chapel at Farm Steet. I’ve carried it on many marches & pilgrimages for climate justice with Christian Climate Action and the Laudato Si Movement. Here in this beautiful chapel we were invited to contemplate God’s mercy.
Angela Manno:
Seeing my icons of threatened and endangered species in the context of the beautiful Jesuit Church of the Immaculate Conception is thrilling and humbling, especially in celebrating the 800th anniversary of Saint Francis' writing of the Canticle of the Creatures. It has always been my aim to expand the canon of images (not to replace it), and both traditional and contemporary imagery are seen hanging here harmoniously together.
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