Canticles of creatures - introduction

Canticle of the creatures The Canticle of the creatures, also known as the Laudes Creaturarum (Praise of the Creatures), is a religious song composed by Saint Francis of Assisi. It was written in the Umbrian dialect but has been translated into many... More

Canticle of the creatures
The Canticle of the creatures, also known as the Laudes Creaturarum (Praise of
the Creatures), is a religious song composed by Saint Francis of Assisi.
It was
written in the Umbrian dialect but has been translated into many languages.
It is
among the first works of literature written in the Italian language.
[1]
The Canticle of the creatures is a praise to God and it thanks Him for such
creations as "Brother Fire" and "Sister Water".
It is an affirmation of Francis
personal theology.
He often referred to animals as brothers and sisters to
Mankind, rejected material accumulation and sensual comforts in favor of
"Lady Poverty".

Saint Francis is said to have composed most of the canticle in late 1224 while
recovering from an illness at San Damiano, in a small cottage that had been built
for him by Saint Clare and other women of her order.
According to tradition,
the first time it was sung in its entirety was by Brothers Angelo and Leo, two of
his original Less