Tag: spirituality

The Canticle of the Sun by Saint Francis of Assisi

In a dark room near Assisi, Francis found light—turning sickness into a hymn where even death became sister.

In 1224, Francis of Assisi was sick, weak, and almost blind. He stayed in a small hut near San Damiano, close to Clare and his brothers. Life was slipping away, but his heart was still burning. Out of that darkness came light—a hymn of joy, calling the sun his brother, the moon his sister, even death his friend.

This hymn, The Canticle of the Sun, is one of the earliest pieces of Italian writing. But more than history, it is a vision of the world as family—everything and everyone pointing back to God.

The Canticle of the Sun (Laudes Creaturarum, or Canticle of the Creatures) by Saint Francis of Assisi

Most High, all-powerful, good Lord, Yours are the praises, the glory, the honor, and all blessing. To You alone, Most High, do they belong, and no man is worthy to mention Your name.

Praised be You, my Lord, with all Your creatures, especially Sir Brother Sun, who is the day and through whom You give us light. He is beautiful and radiant with great splendor, and bears a likeness of You, Most High One.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars; in heaven You formed them clear, precious, and beautiful. Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind, and through the air, cloudy and serene, and every kind of weather through which You give sustenance to Your creatures.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water, who is very useful, humble, precious, and chaste. Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom You light the night. He is beautiful, playful, robust, and strong.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and who produces various fruit with colored flowers and herbs. Praised be You, my Lord, through those who give pardon for Your love and bear infirmity and tribulation. Blessed are those who endure in peace, for by You, Most High, they shall be crowned.

Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whom no living man can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin. Blessed are those whom death will find in Your most holy will, for the second death shall do them no harm.

Praise and bless my Lord, give Him thanks, and serve Him with great humility.

ᴛʸᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᴏᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʙˡᵘᵉ ᵈᵃʳᵉᵐ ᵐᵘˢⁱᶜ ᵇˡᵒᵍ

The Rule of Life

What started as a guide for the few would one day shape the many.

Saint Albert of Jerusalem and the Carmelite Way

Bishop Albert Avogadro once served in Italy before becoming Patriarch of Jerusalem. Around 1209–1210, hermits on Mount Carmel asked him for a guide to shape their way of life. He gave them a short, practical rule—simple on paper, but powerful in spirit.

The Rule of Bishop Albert guided them through:

• Living in cells close to each other — balancing solitude with community.

• Meditating on the Law of the Lord day and night — letting Scripture shape their rhythm.

• Daily Eucharist if possible — making Christ the center.

• Manual labor and fasting — strengthening both spirit and body.

• Obedience to a prior chosen by the group — unity through humility.

Bishop Albert was assassinated in 1214, never seeing how far his rule would spread. What began as guidance for a few desert hermits became the foundation of the Carmelite Order, later producing saints like Teresa of Ávila, John of the Cross, and Thérèse of Lisieux.

Saint Albert’s memorial comes each September 17, yet through the years the few pages he wrote in a war-torn land for hermits on Mount Carmel endure as a sacred guide.

ᴛʸᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᴏᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʙˡᵘᵉ ᵈᵃʳᵉᵐ ᵐᵘˢⁱᶜ ᵇˡᵒᵍ

Traces of courage, silence, and sacrifice—this is Saints.

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