In this meditation, I reflect on the Canticle of the Creatures, the beautiful prayer written by St. Francis of Assisi, as we mark the 800th anniversary of his death.
Francis is remembered for his deep sense of kinship with all living things, and this ancient canticle celebrates the great family of creation. In this first reflection, we turn our attention to two of the most familiar companions in the sky: Brother Sun and Sister Moon.
We begin by settling into stillness and becoming aware of the breath. As the mind grows quieter, the images of sun and moon invite us to reflect on the rhythms that sustain life.
Brother Sun reminds us of the warmth and light that make life possible, while Sister Moon calls us into the gentler rhythm of night, rest and renewal.
Through this meditation we pause in gratitude for the great movements of creation that hold and sustain us each day.
This meditation offers a moment of calm, whether you are pausing during the day or winding down before sleep, helping you reconnect with the wider rhythms of life and rest more deeply in gratitude.
00:00 – Introduction
00:10 – Celebrating St. Francis and the Canticle
00:40 – Francis and the celebration of creation
01:10 – Reflecting on the Canticle of the Creatures
01:35 – The bell
01:50 – Entering meditation and posture
02:10 – Awareness of the breath
02:40 – Breathing in peace, breathing out pain
03:50 – Gifting our breath to creation
04:15 – Brother Sun and Sister Moon
05:00 – Brother Sun, source of life
05:30 – The warmth and gift of the day
05:50 – Gratitude for Brother Sun
06:30 – Sister Moon
06:50 – The beauty of the night sky
07:20 – The moon and the seasons
07:40 – The moon and the tides
08:50 – Gratitude for Sister Moon and the gift of rest
09:30 – Letting the images fade
09:50 – Resolution to honour the rhythms of the sky
10:34 – Closing bell