Laudato Si' Week
In 2015, Pope Francis wrote Laudato Si’, an encyclical letter about the environmental crisis to every single person in the world. Laudato Si’ has shone a light of hope around the world. It focuses on care for the natural environment and all people, as well as broader questions of the relationship between God, humans, and the earth.
The first words of Laudato Si’ are Italian and translate as “praise be to you.” They are part of a quotation from St. Francis of Assisi’s “Canticle of the Creatures” that opens the encyclical in which the saint praises God by meditating on the goodness of sun, wind, earth, water, and other natural forces.
Laudato Si' Action Waitaha Group
From Hope to Action “Hope would have us recognize that there is always a way out, that we can always redirect our steps, that we can always do something to solve our problems.”
The Call - Te Karanga - The cry of the earth and the cry of the poor to care for our common home. You are invited to respond to this profound call.
If you have an interest in the mission presented in Laudato Si Encyclical please contact Jenny Carter Jenny.carter@xtra.co.nz
The Canticle of the Creatures
by St. Francis of Assisi
Most High, all-powerful,
good Lord,
yours is the praise,
the glory and the honor and every blessing.
To you alone, Most High,
do they belong,
and no one is worthy
to speak your name.
Praised be you, my Lord
with all your creatures,
especially Sir Brother Sun,
who is the day through whom
you bring us light.
And he is lovely, shining
with great splendor,
for he heralds you, Most High.
Praised be you, my Lord,
through Sister Moon and Stars.
In heaven you have formed them,
lightsome and precious and fair.
And praised be you, my Lord,
through Brother Wind, through
air and cloud, through calm
and every weather by which
you sustain your creatures.
Praised be you, my Lord,
through Sister Water,
so very useful and humble,
precious and chaste.
Praised be you, my Lord
through Brother Fire,
by whom you light up
the night, and he is
handsome and merry,
robust and strong.
Praised be you, my Lord,
through our Sister, Mother Earth,
who sustains us and directs us
bringing forth all kinds of fruits
and colored flowers and herbs.
Praised be you, my Lord
through those who forgive
for your love
and who bear sickness and trial.
Blessed are those
who endure in peace,
for by you, Most High,
they will be crowned.
Praised be you, my Lord,
through our Sister Bodily Death
from whom no living being
can escape.
How dreadful for those
who die in mortal sin!
How blessed are those she
finds in your most holy will
for the second death
can do them no harm.
O praise and bless my Lord,
thank him and serve him
humbly but grandly!
