ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI



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Most high, all-powerful, all good, Lord!
  All praise is yours, all glory, all honour
  And all blessing.

To you alone, Most High, do they belong.
  No mortal lips are worthy
  To pronounce your name.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through all that you have made,
  And first my lord Brother Sun,
  Who brings the day; and light you give to us through him.

How beautiful is he, how radiant in all his splendour!
  Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Moon and Stars;
  In the heavens you have made them, bright
  And precious and fair.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air,
  And fair and stormy, all the weather's moods,
  By which you cherish all that you have made.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Water,
  So useful, lowly, precious, and pure.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Brother Fire,
  Through whom you brighten up the night.
  How beautiful he is, how gayl Full of power and strength.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Earth, our mother,
  Who feeds us in her sovereignty and produces
  Various fruits and coloured flowers and herbs.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through those who grant pardon
  For love of you; through those who endure
  Sickness and trial.

Happy those who endure in peace,
  By you, Most High, they will be crowned.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Death,
  From whose embrace no mortal can escape.

Woe to those who die in mortal sin!

Happy those She finds doing your will!
  The second death can do no harm to them.

Praise and bless my Lord, and give him thanks,
  And serve him with great humility.

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In their many different idioms the classical spiritual writers have attempted to throw light on the eternal question of union with God. 
Every month we give you a brief passage from a spiritual classic.