Pope Francis designated May 24, 2020 through May 24, 2021 as Laudato Sí Year to commemorate the fifth anniversary of his landmark encyclical on the care for our common home. The Season of Creation (September 1–October 4) seems to be an appropriate time to initiate this opportunity for weekly reflection on excerpts from Laudato Sí.
Pope Francis’s Laudato Sí #87: When we can see God reflected in all that exists, our hearts are moved to praise the Lord for all his creatures and to worship him in union with them. This sentiment finds magnificent expression in the hymn of Saint Francis of Assisi:
Praised be you, my Lord, with all your creatures, especially Sir Brother Sun, who is the day and through whom you give us light, and he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor, and bears a likeness of you, Most High.
Praised be you, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars, in heaven you formed them clear and precious and beautiful.
Praised be you, my Lord, through Brother Wind, and through the air, cloudy and serene, and every kind of weather through whom you give sustenance to your creatures.
Praised be you, my Lord, through Sister Water, who is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.
Praised be you, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you light the night, and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.
Reflection: Pray this prayer of St. Francis in honor of his feast day, October 4, and throughout the week.
(Reflection provided by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Philadelphia.)