Brother Sun: Sunrise, Creation, and a Friary in Assisi

In one of Francis’ most famous prayers, the Canticle of Creation, he praises God for and through creation: “Praise be to Thee my Lord, with all Thy creatures, especially for Master Brother Sun who illuminates the day for us, and Thee Most High he manifests,” is just one verse of the many. This prayer has, ever since I first encountered it, been one of my favorites. But this past Tuesday (19 Jan), I, for the first time, really experienced the prayer: I encountered creation, and with my heart experienced the power and creativity of Love which is exactly what this prayer of Francis proclaims. To be precise, I experienced the prayer, and personally made it my own—all without even saying the words.

It was 6:00 AM Tuesday morning. I woke up, took a shower, and walked up to one of the top of the hills of Assisi where a castle is located. It was dark when I was walking; I was planning to watch the sunrise. When I reached the top of the hill, I found a good spot to sit (although I was not quite sure which way was east) and immediately I was drawn to write poetry. Though I had no intention of writing anything that morning, I—fortunately and luckily—brought a small pad of pocket paper with me. I want to share with you what I wrote.

This poem is an illustration of what I experienced: the sounds, the sights, the feelings. I saw the sunrise with my heart, and therefore, I was able to see more. This is what I really saw that early morning. It, while words are always insufficient to truly detail one’s experience of prayer, is the closest thing I have to share the beauty of creation of which I encountered. Lastly, I was debating if I should post this poem. But, like I have said before on this blog: casus is the word for adventure. What greater adventure than the adventure of faith and prayer! The poem is deeply personal, and I rarely would share something like this, but this site is meant to be read by those that I love, and who knows when I will see the sunrise in Assisi again. Pax et bonum…

Not knowing where to gaze
to see the star of Heaven appear,
to the top of Assisi I went,
by a castle that stood near.

The east a mystery for me
until in the corner of a mountain
the light of God came clear.

Then the Angels, responding to the Hours' bells
flew around this sacred town.

In my imagination, a greater reality
for the Angels heavenly
flew about incredibly:

golden, noble, and
wings so pure.

O how I wish for all to see
this beautiful town of Assisi!

Apollo on his way
to make bright the new day;
the mountains, creation's peaks,
anxiously awaiting the light from
that first day.

Purple, orange, and yellow too,
the Creator paints creation's awe:
the heavens came down to earth today!

Church bells ring,
for the Sun is near,
praising Your entrance
we humbly fear.

May all live with Christ's good cheer!

The Angels staring at the Heavenly coming,
and I sit here, my heart becoming
a place for the Divine to make His peace
as I await His Liturgical Feast.

O Brother Sun, miracle of Creation,
Listen to His Church praise you with exultation.

Bless this day Sun of the Son
that all may adore with Creation's Song:

Praised be to God in Heaven above.
Praise to Him, our final abode.
He comes below to shed holy light
We bow down: He is our delight.

O men of earth, today has come;
the birds sing out to the Dawn.

Indeed it is true, and royal too,
that Creation shines
with the harmony of Love.

Come o Light, and
God look not
into our failings,
but may Your gift,

creation's Beauty,
be our praise
to Your eternal glory.

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I want to say one last thing about my time in Assisi. Before lunch on the last day, a group of students made a huge hike (close to 3 miles) up the mountain to visit one of the first Franciscan friaries. The location was where Francis spent much of his life after his conversion. It was absolutely incredible. Creation was shining with the glory of God, and in a mystical way, creation itself was pointing specifically toward Christ. Creation is so marked by beauty that it seems only necessary for God, who is intimately bounded with His creation, to enter into it, redeem it, and recapitulate it with His own blood...

The friary had a couple of small chapels: simplicity was their mark. Sitting in the main chapel, however, I was totally mesmerized by that same feeling of wander and awe. Then, in the surrounding woods, there was a few outside chapels—one of which held the first altar that was there when Francis was. Once again, I was captured in awe. We were higher than the clouds, and could gaze into the neighboring towns and fields. Words cannot suffice to how awesome it was to see what I saw. Perhaps I am exaggerating it all; for without a doubt many of the others were not as mesmerized as myself. My only defense is that it is impossible to exaggerate something divine. It was a taste of heaven to see the divine creativity so prevalent within His creation.

The great theologian, Hans Urs Von Balthasar put it excellently: “Every experience of beauty points to infinity.” I completely agree.