History

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 Your 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 varied 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.

From Frorwis sod Ciaro The’ Coroplele Works, translottoe and introdactiosts by Regis Armstrong and IgnoRes Brady. 1982 The Missionary Society of St. Past the Apostle in the State of Ness York. Uted by permission of Pasaliot Press.

Copyright © 1994 by the author or Christianity Today/Christian History magazine. Click here for reprint information on Christian History.

Our Latest

The Bulletin

Saudi Crown Prince Visit, GOP Realignment, and the Performative Male

Mike Cosper, Clarissa Moll

Trump hosts Saudi royalty, Republicans navigate shifts in the party, and a TikTok trend jokes about masculine sensitivity.

What Do a 103-Year-Old Theologian’s Prayers Sound Like?

Jim Houston’s scholarship centered on communion with God. His life in a Canadian care home continues to reflect this pursuit.

News

The Current No. 1 Christian Artist Has No Soul

AI-generated musician Solomon Ray has stirred a debate among listeners, drawing pushback from popular human singer Forrest Frank.

New Frontiers in 1961

CT considered paperback books, the Peace Corps, and the first man in space.

Mastering Masculinity

Jason Wilson’s rite of passage combines martial arts, emotional stability, and lessons from the Bible.

Wonderology

Fault Lines

Am I bad or sick?

News

Utah Flocks to Crusade Event at Campus Where Charlie Kirk Was Killed

Evangelicals take the stage for worship and altar calls in the Mormon-majority state.

God Loves Our Middling Worship Music

Songwriting might be the community-building project your church needs right now.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube