All creatures of our God and King

Author: Giovanni Bernardone, 1182-1226.

Jonathan: I'm sorry for being late, I'll try to do better.

This inspiring expression of praise found in nearly every hymnal was origanally written in 1225 by one of the most interesting figures in all of church history. Giovanni Bernardone, who was better known as the saint Francis of Assisi, was a mystic, medieval monk who was better known as an itinerant evangelist, preaching and helping the poor people of Italy.
Saint Francis was born in Assisi, Italy, in 1182. After an early indulgent life as a soldier, he reformed his ways dramatically, at the age of 25, and determined to serve God by imitating the selfless life of Christ in all that he did. Although his family were people of considerable means, Francis scorned the possessions of material goods, he denounced his inherited wealth, denied himself everything but the most meager necessities, and devoted himself completely to moving about his area as Christ's representative. At the age of 28 Francis founded the influential Franciscan order of friars, which developed into a large movment of young men and some women who adopted his religious beliefs and ascetics style of life.
Saint Francis was known as a great lover of nature, seeing the hand of God in all creation. One of the well-known master paintings from this time was done by the famouse Italian artist, Giotto, and shows Saint Francis feeding the birds.


The following well-known verse was written in tribute to this man:

Saint Francis came to preach-with smiles he met the friendless, fed the poor, freed a trapped bird, led home a child' although he spoke no word-his text, God's love, the town did not forget.

Another familiar verse that has become especially popular in recent years is the thoughtful prayer written by this medieval monk during the early years of his life:

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is discord, unity.
Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is error, truth.
Where there is despair, hope. Where there is sadness, joy. Where there is darkness, Light.
O divine master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console.
To be understood, as to understand. To be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving, that we recieve. It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned. It is in dying, that we are born to eternal life.

"All creatures of our God and King" Is from one of many of Saint Francis's writings entilted "Canticles of the sun" Said to have been written one hot summer day in 1225, one year before his death. While Francis was very ill and suffering the loss of his eyesight. Throughout his life Saint Francis made much use of singing and believed strongly in the importance of Church music. In all he wrote more then sixty hymns for use in the monastery. This beautiful expression of praise is one that has survived the passing of these several hundred years.

Giovanni Bernardone

P.S- Please don't be offended by the "Jesus" Picture at the end of the Youtube video, it is a Catholic based song after all. LOL!

P.S.S- I unfortunately had to delete the post made before this one because I had written some of this one, saved it as a draft, written and posted the one titled "As the deer", then finished this one and then posted it. But blogger wouldn't let me put this post on the front page (Either that or I did not know how. LOL.) Anyway the only way to put it up was to delete it. Sorry. If that was hard to understand I'm sorry. LOL