St Francis' Canticle of the Creatures

THIS SHORT, BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED BOOK serves as an introduction to Francis for all those who may be interested in the saint. His Canticle is an apt ‘way in’ to him, for as Chesterton pointed out nearly a century ago, it is ‘a supremely characteristic work’ and ‘much of St Francis can be reconstructed from it alone’. This book will also be a useful resource for Franciscans, in particular for those in the Secular Franciscan Order, for possible use in formation and discussion. In the vast literature on Francis and Franciscanism much has been written concerning his poem, and though most of it has been in Italian, French or German, several valuable works have appeared in English. Each in its different way is highly thought-provoking, as well as deeply spiritual and Franciscan. Each takes its own approach to the Canticle, so that it largely complements the others and says much that is new. The approach here is different again, so that those who have already read many or all of the other books should still find fresh insights and further knowledge. Seeking to grasp and express the meaning of the Canticle, the essential key is to be found in Scripture: the Old and New Testaments were always Francis’ own main sources. Scripture informs all his writing and his works are dense with biblical allusions. His Canticle is no exception—with no direct biblical quotations or references, it is the free poetry of a man thoroughly versed in Scripture, which is his constant background companion. In this fascinating introduction, John Watts provides a fresh new translation as well as the original Umbrian to provide the texture and rhythm of St Francis’ original composition, shown against its historical and literary background.