On Saturday, October 3, 1226 Francis of Assisi died. Franciscans observe the day as the Transitus—his journey from this life to the next. This Saturday is the 800th celebration. His father, a merchant who was in France when the boy was born changed the baby’s name from Giovanni to Francesco. Francis as a young man loved French troubadours and sang through his life. The year before he died he composed a song that Dante would later call the first great poem written in Italian (Umbrian). It is called the Canticle of the Creatures or the Canticle of Brother Sun. As he was dying, his religious brothers sang the song.
La Jolla, California
Be praised, my Lord, through all Your creatures,
especially through my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day;
and You give light through him.
And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor!
Of You, Most High, he bears the likeness.
Brother Sun and Sister Moon, Navajo Nation, Utah
Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars;
Badlands, South Dakota
in the heavens You have made them bright, precious and beautiful.
Grand Tetons, Wyoming
Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air,
Kolob Canyons, Utah
and clouds and storms, and all the weather, through which You give Your creatures sustenance.
Crescent Lake, Washington
Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Water;
she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.
Buffalo Gap Grasslands, South Dakota
Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire,
through whom You brighten the night.
He is beautiful and cheerful, and powerful and strong.
Obed River, Tennessee
Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth,
who feeds us and rules us,
and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.
White Sands, New Mexico
Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of You;
through those who endure sickness and trial.
Happy those who endure in peace, for by You, Most High, they will be crowned.
A year after first writing the Canticle, a dispute arose between the mayor and bishop of Assisi. Francis wrote the verse above and had a brother sing it to them, and it reconciled them, and was added to the Canticle.
Then as death approached Francis added another verse.
Be praised, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death,
from whose embrace no living person can escape.
Bosque del Apache, New Mexico
Praise and bless my Lord,
and give thanks,
and serve Him with great humility.
Canticle of the Creatures, Our Lady of Angels Chapel, Wheaton, Illinois
Francis died in the St. Mary of the Angels chapel (Porziuncola) in Assisi. The Wheaton Franciscan Sisters’ chapel dedicated in 1955 is named after that church. The windows were designed by Francis Deck of St. Louis. One window celebrates the Canticle. The congregation will commemorate the Transitus of St. Francis on Saturday evening, October 3, 2026, including live streaming it on YouTube.