St. Francis – A Brother to All Creatures

Francis’ Attitude to Creation and the Origins of his Vision

St. Francis’ Sermon to the Birds

St. Francis’ Sermon to the Bird … Francis reached a place near Bevagna, in which a great multitude of birds had gathered, including doves, crows and others … When Francis, the most blessed servant of God, saw them, he ran swiftly toward them, leaving his companions on the road. He was a man of great fervour, feeling much sweetness and tenderness even toward lesser, irrational creatures. When he was already very close, seeing that they awaited him, he greeted them in his usual way. He was quite surprised, however, because they did not take flight, as they usually do. Filled with great joy, he humbly requested that they listen to the word of God. Among many other things, Francis said to them: “My brother birds, you should greatly praise your Creator, and love Him always. He gave you feathers to wear, wings to fly, and whatever you need. God made you noble among His creatures and gave you a home in the purity of the air, so that, though you neither sow nor reap, He nevertheless protects and governs you without your least care.” Francis himself, and those brothers with him, used to say that, at these words, the birds rejoiced in a wonderful way according to their nature. They stretched their necks, spread their wings, opened their beaks and looked at him ... After the birds had listened so reverently to the word of God; he began to accuse himself of negligence because he had not preached to them before. From that day on, he carefully exhorted all birds, all animals, all reptiles, and also insensible creatures, to praise and love the

Francis’ Life and Legacy 1181/2 AD – Born in Assisi, Umbria (Italy)

I 1193 AD – St. Clare of Assisi – born in Assisi

I 1202/3 AD – Francis imprisoned in neighbouring Perugia

I 1206 AD – Vision at ruined church of San Damiano

I 1209 AD – Francis’ first followers

I 1212 AD – Clare joins Francis – beginning of Poor Clares

I ? - 1213 AD – Francis’ sermon to the birds

I 1219 AD – Francis meets the Sultan

I 1221 AD – beginning of Secular Franciscan Order

I 1224 AD – La Verna where Francis receives stigmata

I 1225 AD – Canticle of the Creatures

I 1226 AD – Death of Francis

I 1228 AD – Francis is canonised

I 1228/9 AD – first biography by Thomas of Celano (incl.

sermon to birds)

Had Francis a natural affinity with nature?

from The Life of St. Francis by Thomas of Celano, c.1229 When he had recovered a little and, with the support of a cane, had begun to walk about here and there through the house in order to regain his health, he went outside one day and began gazing upon the surrounding countryside with greater interest. But the beauty of the fields, the delight of the vineyards, and whatever else was beautiful to see could offer him no delight at all. He wondered at the sudden change in himself, and considered those who loved these things quite foolish (Chapter 2, VP).

Scripture influences Daniel 3, 52-90

57Bless the Lord, all the Lord's creation: praise and glorify him for ever! Bless the Lord, angels of the Lord, praise and …

Bless the Lord, heavens, praise and … Bless the Lord, all the waters above the heavens, praise and …

Bless the Lord, powers of the Lord, praise and … Bless the Lord, sun and moon, praise and … Bless the Lord, stars of heaven, praise and …

Bless the Lord, all rain and dew, praise and …

Bless the Lord, every wind, praise and … Bless the Lord, fire and heat, praise and …

Bless the Lord, cold and warmth, praise and … Bless the Lord, dew and snow-storm, praise and …

Bless the Lord, frost and cold, praise and … Bless the Lord, ice and snow, praise and …

Bless the Lord, nights and days, praise and … Bless the Lord, light and darkness, praise and …

Bless the Lord, lightning and cloud, praise and …

Let the earth bless the Lord: praise and … Bless the Lord, mountains and hills, praise and …

Bless the Lord, every plant that grows, praise and … Bless the Lord, springs of water, praise and … Bless the Lord, seas and rivers, praise and …

Bless the Lord, whales, and everything that moves in the waters, praise and glorify him for ever!

Bless the Lord, every kind of bird, praise and … Bless the Lord, all animals wild and tame, praise and …

82 Bless the Lord, all the human race: praise and …

Scripture influences Psalm 148

1 Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights above.

2 Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly hosts.

3 Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars.

4 Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies.

5 Let them praise the name of the LORD, for at his command they were created,

6 and he established them for ever and ever— he issued a decree that will never pass away.

7 Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,

8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding,

9 you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars,

10 wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds, 11 kings of the earth and all nations,

you princes and all rulers on earth,

Scripture influences Psalm 19

1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. 3 They have no speech, they use no words;

no sound is heard from them. 4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,

their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.

5 It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,

like a champion rejoicing to run his course. 6 It rises at one end of the heavens

and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.

... … …

Scripture influences Psalm 66

1 Shout for joy to God, all the earth! 2 Sing the glory of his name;

make his praise glorious. 3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!

So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you.

4 All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you,

they sing the praises of your name.” 5 Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind!

… … …

Extract from Francis’ Letter to Faithful Let every creature in heaven, on earth,

in the sea and in the depths, give praise, glory, honour, and blessing

To Him Who suffered so much

Who has given and will give in the future every good, for He is our power and strength

Who alone is good,

Who alone is almighty, Who alone is omnipotent,

wonderful, glorious and Who alone is holy

worthy of praise and blessing

through endless ages.

From A Salutation to the Virtues Holy Obedience confounds

every corporal and carnal wish, binds its mortified body

to obedience of the Spirit and to obedience to one's brother,

so that it is subject and submissive

to everyone in the world, not just to people

but to every beast and wild animal as well that they may do whatever they want with it

insofar as it has been given to them from above by the Lord.

Exhortation to the Praise of God … Heaven and earth, praise Him.

All you rivers, praise the Lord. All you children of God, praise the Lord.

This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!

…

Let every spirit praise the Lord. Praise the Lord because He is good;

all you who read this, bless the Lord.

All you creatures, bless the Lord.

All you birds of heaven, praise the Lord. All you children, praise the Lord.

…

Other biographical notes

• St. Francis’ love for all creatures – Thomas of Celano

• Francis’ living Christmas crib – Greccio • Francis & the Wolf of Gubbio – peace-making • Traditional blessing of animals/pets

Francis – Patron of Ecologists

"In 1979, I proclaimed Saint Francis of Assisi as the heavenly Patron of those who promote ecology. He offers Christians an example of genuine and deep respect for the integrity of creation. As a friend of the poor who was loved by God's creatures, Saint Francis invited all of creation - animals, plants, natural forces, even Brother Sun and Sister Moon - to give honour and praise to the Lord. The poor man of Assisi gives us striking witness that when we are at peace with God we are better able to devote ourselves to building up that peace with all creation which is inseparable from peace among all peoples. It is my hope that the inspiration of Saint Francis will help us to keep ever alive a sense of 'fraternity' with all those good and beautiful things which Almighty God has created." - from Bl. Pope John Paul II, Peace with God the Creator, Peace with All of Creation, Message for World Day of Peace, 1 January, 1990