St. Francis of Assisi

(c. 1181-1226)

---

The Canticle of the Sun

If the emperor gave a kingdom to one of his servants, how joyful the servant would be! But if he gave hi the whole empire, would he not rejoice all the more? I should, therefore, be full of joy in my infirmities and tribulations, seek my consolation in the Lord, and give thanks to God the Father, to his only Son our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the Holy Spirit. In fact, God has given me such a grace and blessing that he has condescended in his mercy to assure me, his poor and unworthy servant, still living on this earth, that I would share his kingdom. Therefore, for his glory, for my consolation, and the edification of my neighbor, I wish to compose a new “Praises to the Lord,” for his creatures. These creatures minister to our needs every day; without them we could not live; and through them the human race greatly offends the Creator. Every day we fail to appreciate so great a blessing by not praising as we should the Creator and dispenser of all these gifts.

We are the jongleurs of God, and the only reward we want is to see you lead a truly penitent life.

We are, indeed, God's servants if not jongleurs who strive to move men's hearts in order to lead them to the joys of the spirit?

At sunrise, every man ought to praise God for having created this heavenly body which gives light to our eyes during the day; at evening, when night falls, every man ought to praise God for that other creature, our brother fire, which enables our eyes to see clearly in the darkness. We are all like blind people, and it is through these two creatures that God gives us light. Therefore, for these two creatures and for the others that serve us each day, we ought to praise their glorious Creator in a very special way.

[From The Legend of Perugia]

See St Francis Part III, The Legend of Perugia

---

St. Francis Biography 1 (the Catholic Encyclopedia)