Day 25
Brother Sun and Sister Moon
Spend time with the photo

In his 2015 landmark encyclical, Laudato Si', Pope Francis insisted that the ecological crisis is inseparable from issues of justice and poverty. The letter calls for a transformation in our relationship with nature and each other, asking the world to 'heed the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.'​

​

Every papal encyclical takes its title from the first few words of the document; Pope Francis chose to begin by quoting the Canticle of the Creatures, a prayer written by Saint Francis in the year 1224.  "Laudato Si'" = "Praise be to You" in the Umbrian dialect of Italian. A Franciscan inspiration.

​

​

From Saint Francis' Canticle of the Creatures,

​​​

Praised be You my Lord (Laudato Si' ...)

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 High, he bears the likeness.

​

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars,
In the heavens you have made them bright, precious and fair.

​

Praised be You, my Lord, through 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 and playful and robust and strong.

​

Praised be You my Lord through our Sister, Mother Earth
who sustains and governs us,
producing varied fruits with colored flowers and herbs.

​

Praised be my Lord for all those who pardon one another for his love’s sake,
and who endure weakness and tribulation.

Blessed are those who endure in peace,
they will be crowned.

​

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

​

​

​