Saints
Francis of Assisi
Feast Day · October 4

Francis of Assisi

Patron ofAnimals, Ecology, Italy, Merchants
SituationsEnvironment, Peace
ProfessionsAnimal Workers, Environmentalists
Why this patronage

Saint Francis of Assisi is the patron of animals and of ecology because of the tenderness toward all creatures that ran through his whole life: he preached to the birds, by tradition tamed the ferocious wolf of Gubbio, and in his Canticle of the Creatures praised God through Brother Sun, Sister Moon, and Sister Water — seeing every created thing as kin under one Father. For this reason Pope John Paul II declared him patron of ecology in 1979, and his feast is the occasion for the blessing of animals. He is the patron of merchants because he was himself the son of a wealthy cloth-merchant of Assisi and worked in the family trade before his conversion, when he famously stripped off his fine clothes to embrace poverty. He is a patron of Italy.

Life

Saint Francis of Assisi, born Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone in 1181, founded the Franciscan Order. After a youth of wealth and military ambition, he experienced a profound conversion, embracing radical poverty and devotion to Christ. He is remembered for his love of nature, his stigmata, and his joyful simplicity.

Prayer

Canticle of the Sun (Canticum Fratris Solis)

Altíssimu, onnipotente, bon Signore,
Most High, all-powerful, good Lord,
Höchster, allmächtiger, guter Herr,
Altísimo, omnipotente, buen Señor,
Très-Haut, tout-puissant, bon Seigneur,
Altissimo, onnipotente, buon Signore,
tue so le laude, la glória e l'honore et onne benedictióne.
Yours are the praises, the glory, and the honor, and all blessing.
dein sind das Lob, die Herrlichkeit und die Ehre und aller Segen.
tuyas son las alabanzas, la gloria y el honor y toda bendición.
à toi les louanges, la gloire, l'honneur et toute bénédiction.
tue sono le lodi, la gloria, l'onore e ogni benedizione.
Ad te solo, Altíssimo, se konfáno
To You alone, Most High, do they belong,
Dir allein, Höchster, gebühren sie,
A ti solo, Altísimo, corresponden,
À toi seul, Très-Haut, ils conviennent,
A te solo, Altissimo, si addicono,
et nullu homo ène dignu te mentováre.
and no human is worthy to mention Your name.
und kein Mensch ist würdig, dich zu nennen.
y ningún hombre es digno de nombrarte.
et nul homme n'est digne de te nommer.
e nessun uomo è degno di nominarti.
Laudáto sii, mi Signore, cum tucte le tue creatúre,
Praised be You, my Lord, with all Your creatures,
Gelobt seist du, mein Herr, mit all deinen Geschöpfen,
Alabado seas, mi Señor, con todas tus criaturas,
Loué sois-tu, mon Seigneur, avec toutes tes créatures,
Lodato sii, mio Signore, con tutte le tue creature,
spetialménte messor lo frate Sole,
especially Sir Brother Sun,
besonders durch Herrn Bruder Sonne,
especialmente el señor hermano Sol,
spécialement messire frère Soleil,
specialmente per messer fratello Sole,
lo quale è iorno, et allúmini noi per lui.
Who is the day and through whom You give us light.
welcher der Tag ist, und durch den du uns leuchtest.
el cual es el día, y por él nos iluminas.
qui est le jour, et par lui tu nous éclaires.
il quale è giorno, e per lui ci illumini.
Et ellu è bellu e radiánte cum grande splendóre,
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor;
Und er ist schön und strahlend mit großem Glanz:
Y él es bello y radiante con gran esplendor:
Et il est beau et rayonnant d'une grande splendeur :
Ed esso è bello e raggiante con grande splendore:
de te, Altíssimo, porta significatióne.
and bears a likeness of You, Most High One.
von dir, Höchster, trägt er das Sinnbild.
de ti, Altísimo, lleva significación.
de toi, Très-Haut, il porte le signe.
di te, Altissimo, porta significazione.
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