From: A Salutation of the Virtues

by St. Francis of Assisi

 

 A blue tit on a small branch in the garden of the Franciscan Friary, Killarney, Co. Kerry

 

Holy Obedience confounds

every corporal and carnal wish,

binds its mortified body

to obedience of the Spirit

and to obedience to one's brother,

so that it is

subject and submissive

to everyone in the world,

not just to people

but to every beast and wild animal as well

that they may do whatever they want with it

insofar as it has been given to them

from above by the Lord.

Horse in a field in Connemara, Co. Galway

 

 

Laudato Si'

mi' Signore 

 

Praised be You

my Lord

with all

Your creatures

- St. Francis