Canticle of Creation

It's been fun going on outings that provide opportunity to experience life in fullness, such as Loch Lomond and Sunday worship.  My sister & I had such a good time at the Black Maria Film Festival, and met up again for an art gallery reception at Traillworks. 

It was wonderful meeting other artists, taking part in the creation of a Handala, talking with studio owner - artist Jennie Traill Schaeffer, local artist Joanne Wells Greenbaum, and viewing a large, three-dimensional clay piece by Earthsongs artist Linda Vonderschmidt-LaStella.

That piece, entitled Canticle of Creation, was based on a song of praise by Saint Francis of Assisi.  He wrote it during a difficult time in his life.  As written on the Sisters of St. Francis website, "Francis saw God in everything and so do we.  We look upon the earth with humility and with an open and grateful heart, aware of the divine goodness in all things."  Here's his canticle:

CANTICLE OF CREATION

Saint Francis of Assisi, 1225 A.D.

Be praised Good Lord for Brother Sun

who brings us each new day.

Be praised for Sister Moon: white

beauty bright and fair, with wandering

stars she moves through the night.

Be praised my Lord for Brother Wind,

for air and clouds and the skies of every season.

Be praised for Sister Water: humble,

helpful, precious, pure; she cleanses

us in rivers and renews us in rain.

Be praised my Lord for Brother fire:

he purifies and enlightens us.

Be praised my Lord for Mother Earth:

abundant source, all life sustaining;

she feeds us bread and fruit and gives us flowers.

Be praised my Lord for the gift of life;

for changing dusk and dawn; for touch

and scent and song.

Be praised my Lord for those who

pardon one another for love of thee,

and endure sickness and tribulation.

Blessed are they who shall endure it in

peace, for they shall be crowned by Thee.

Be praised Good Lord for sister Death

who welcomes us in loving embrace.

Be praised my Lord for all your

creation serving you joyfully.

Linda Vonderschmidt-LaStella has been creating art to represent the Canticle of Creation for years, I discovered, as I searched online for a picture of her current piece that I saw at Traillworks.  The art pictured above is located at Neumann University, created by Linda and Sister Christopher Marie Wagner in 1990.  "The artists' inspiration for the Canticle mural came from the beautiful hymn written by St. Francis is of Assisi in the twelth century - The Canticle of Creatures. This hymn celebrates the beauty, diversity and power of God's creation. Written at the end of his life, the work captures the Franciscan celebration of God's majesty.
   The mural is lcoated in the Rocco A. Abessinio Bulding. It reflects healing symbols by use of water and fire as well as emotional and spiritual healing through reconciliation."

I think that viewing Linda's sacred work is a holy experience, and the mirror elements in the piece I saw at Traillworks remain with me as symbols worthy of further contemplation.  I interacted with Louise Nevelson's work at the Locks Gallery which included mirror elements and will take time next week to consider that experience more fully through a blog post. 

For now, I praise my Lord, as St. Francis of Assisi did, for all Creation serving Him joyfully.