What is the Canticle of Brother Sun? How do I pray it?

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The Canticle of Brother Sun

The Canticle of Brother Sun is one of St. Francis’ most well-known poems. But more than just a poem, it is also a song, and a prayer.

St. Francis wrote the Canticle during a time of illness and self-doubt, and took some comfort in having his Franciscan brothers sing it to him, using a melody that he wrote. He added the final verse, to Sister Death, when he, himself, was near death.

The form of the Canticle is inspired by the third chapter of the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament of the Bible. This chapter gives us the song of the three young men who were thrown into Nebuchadnezzar’s furnace for refusing to worship a false god. They survived, uninjured, singing to all of creation to praise the one, true God.

St. Francis saw the wonder and beauty of God’s creative power reflected in animals, plants, the sun, the moon, the wind – in all of God’s creation.

By praying the verses of the Canticle to Brother Sun along with Bible passages that inspired or relate to them, we combine two Franciscan traditions – the sanctification of everyday objects, and praying from scripture.

We will be able to see this poem for what it was meant to be – a beautiful prayer of praise to God.

http://usera.imagecave.com/TaiChiPanther2/Pray/CanticleSingSun-copy.jpg
 
Each of the remaining posts will show one or more passages from the Canticle, along with scripture passages which relate to them.

A note on translations: There are several translations of the Canticle of Brother Sun. The text of the translation used in this thread is in the public domain, as is the text of the Douay-Rheims Bible, from which the scripture passages were taken. All pictures used are also in the public domain.
 
Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord,
All praise is Yours, all glory, honor and blessings.
To you alone, Most High, do they belong;
no mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your Name.

Apocalypse 4 9 And when those living creatures gave glory, and honour, and benediction to him that sitteth on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever; 10 The four and twenty ancients fell down before him that sitteth on the throne, and adored him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: 11 Thou art worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory, and honour, and power: because thou hast created all things; and for thy will they were, and have been created.

http://usera.imagecave.com/TaiChiPanther2/Pray/CanticlePray.gif
 
We praise You, Lord, for all Your creatures,
especially for Brother Sun,
who is the day through whom You give us light.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor,
of You Most High, he bears your likeness.

Tobias 8 7 And Tobias said: Lord God of our father, may the heavens and the earth, and the sea, and the fountains, and the rivers, and all thy creatures that are in them, bless thee.

http://usera.imagecave.com/TaiChiPanther2/Pray/CanticleGlassSun-copy.jpg
 
We praise You, Lord, for Brothers Wind and Air,
fair and stormy, all weather’s moods,
by which You cherish all that You have made.

Daniel 3 64 O every shower and dew, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 65 O all ye spirits of God, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

Psalms 103 13 Thou waterest the hills from thy upper rooms: the earth shall be filled with the fruit of thy works: 14 Bringing forth grass for cattle, and herb for the service of men. That thou mayst bring bread out of the earth:

http://usera.imagecave.com/TaiChiPanther2/Pray/CanticleClouds.jpg
 
We praise You, Lord, for Sister Earth,
who sustains us
with her fruits, colored flowers, and herbs.

Daniel 3 74 O let the earth bless the Lord: let it praise and exalt him above all for ever.

Psalms 103 13 Thou waterest the hills from thy upper rooms: the earth shall be filled with the fruit of thy works: 14 Bringing forth grass for cattle, and herb for the service of men. That thou mayst bring bread out of the earth:

http://usera.imagecave.com/TaiChiPanther2/Pray/CanticleGoldenflowers.jpg http://usera.imagecave.com/TaiChiPanther2/Pray/CanticleRaspberries.jpg http://usera.imagecave.com/TaiChiPanther2/Pray/CanticleSpruce.jpg http://usera.imagecave.com/TaiChiPanther2/Pray/CanticleLupines.jpg
 
We praise You, Lord, for Sister Death,
From whom no-one living can escape.
Woe to those who die in their sins!
Blessed are those that She finds doing Your Will.
No second death can do them harm.

**Apocalypse 2 11 **He, that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches: He that shall overcome, shall not be hurt by the second death.

Apocalypse 20 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection. In these the second death hath no power; but they shall be priests of God and of Christ; and shall reign with him a thousand years.

http://usera.imagecave.com/TaiChiPanther2/Pray/CanticleCross.jpg
 
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