The Canticle of Brother Sun was written in the spring of 1225.Theologically this canticle reflects a profound and magnificent view of creation as an expression of the Trinity, the Most Beautiful, as realized in the Church, and the Blessed Virgin Mary. This canticle describes the pilgrimage whereby one assumes various Christ-like attitudes before the crossing over in death, the transitus, from the beauty of this world to Beauty Itself. Historically in his own life, when Francis composed this ecstatic poem of the beauty of creation and joyful exaltation, he was suffering intense physical pain, and he could not even endure, without pain, even the light from the smallest candle. Nevertheless now he could see even more clearly with the True Light who is Christ.

The Canticle of Brother Sun 

 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.
And 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 and 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 Our creatures.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water,
Which is very useful and humble and precious and chaste
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,
And who produces carried fruits 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 and give Him thanks
And serve Him with great humility.