The Canticle of the Creatures

Here is the reflection that I shared in the Choral Eucharist at St Martin-in-the-Fields today:

I recently visited the Friary at Hilfield which is part of the Society of St Francis, an Anglican Franciscan Religious Order. They are followers of Jesus Christ after the manner of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology. Established in 1921 on the edge of the Dorset Downs and overlooking the Blackmore Vale, Hilfield has regularly provided refuge and rehabilitation for homeless men. Today, six Franciscan brothers form the core of a larger community who work on the Friary land - 19 acres of wildflower meadows and woodlands which have been designated as Special Nature Conservation Interest - and who offer hospitality to people of diverse backgrounds and needs. Each day is shaped by a pattern of prayer, meals together, work, reflection and recreation.

One of the many aspects of Hilfield that attracted my attention is their meditative Canticle Garden based on the Canticle of the Creatures which he composed towards the end of his life, a song which gives voice to all creation in praise and honour of God: Most High, all powerful, good Lord, To you be praise, glory, honour and blessing. Only to you, Most High, do they belong And no one is worthy to call upon your name. May you be praised, my Lord, with all your creatures…… and he goes on to include the sun, moon, stars, earth, water, fire, plants, fruits and flowers.

Brother Samuel from Hilfield has explained what Francis is doing in this Canticle as follows: ‘Everything gives praise, finds its true purpose, by being what it truly is and by doing what it does – the sun in shining, the moon in gleaming, the stars in glistening, the earth in producing fruit, fire in warming etc – and we, the human brothers and sisters of Francis, joining the song. Most people seem to think that worship is something done exclusively in and by churches – with organs and choirs and the like – and, certainly, the task of the Church is to offer praise and worship back to God, but Francis reminds us that when we worship in church we are joining in with something that has been going on since the beginning of time, since the ‘morning stars sang together’. Perhaps we should spend more effort and energy in trying to sing in harmony with them rather than just working our way through Hymns Ancient & Modern or Mission Praise! Having lived at Hilfield Friary now for a good number of years, I have seen from the experience of some of those who have come to us quite broken and lost and who have worked the land with us (and I know this from my own experience too) how engaging closely with creation can heal, restore and re-direct our lives; it can become an act of praise and worship. Singing from the same song-sheet with the whole created order brings us back into right relationship with ourselves, with each other and with the Source and Giver of all.’

It was for this reason that 'the Feast Day of Saint Francis was also designated World Animal Day in 1931 by ecologists in Florence Italy in order to bring focus to endangered species and celebrate animals everywhere. Numerous churches throughout the world observe the Sunday closest to October the 4th with a Blessing of the Animals, and animals are celebrated all over the world with celebrations in synagogues, parks and fields. The mission of World Animal Day is to: celebrate animal life in all its forms; celebrate humankind’s relationship with the animal kingdom; acknowledge the diverse roles that animals play in our lives – from being our companions, supporting and helping us, to bringing a sense of wonder into our lives; and acknowledge and be thankful for the way in which animals enrich our lives.'

'Today about 40% of all species on Earth are threatened with extinction due to habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, invasive species and illegal hunting, poaching and wildlife trade. There are about 3,100 animals classified worldwide as endangered and that number is growing larger every day. It is now more important than ever for people everywhere to take action to protect animals. Some simple steps you can take to protect animals are: protect wildlife habitats, pick up litter and participate in beach cleanups, recycle and reduce energy use and minimize the use of herbicides and pesticides.'

To take such simple steps is to begin to do what the Hilfield Community do, as they seek to put Jesus Christ at the heart of their community life and, following the example of St Francis, seek to: live in simplicity, humility and peace with each other; welcome others who come to visit us, especially the marginal and the stranger; have care for and delight in our environment; work for justice and peace in our world; witness to the abundant generosity of God in our life together; share the vision of living peacefully and sustainably in our world; and, as the Canticle of the Creatures enables us to do, join in the song of all creation in praise and thanksgiving.

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Sofia Gubaidulina - The Canticle of the Sun of St Francis of Assisi Part I.