Featured Hymn for October 19: All Creatures of our God and King (Correction)

In the year 1225, completely blind and nearing death, St. Francis of Assisi arrived at the Convent of St. Damian to bid goodbye to his dear friend, Sister Clara, the first woman to follow the call of St. Francis and take vows of the Order. Clara built him a small reed hut in the garden of her little monastery. It’s said that at times St. Francis could be heard singing faint melodies from within the hut. It was at a meal with the sisters after having stayed for some time at the monastery that he wrote his famous text, “Canticle of the Sun,” later paraphrased into the beloved hymn we sing today.

As we sing this hymn, we join with Christians throughout the ages and with all of Creation to sing our praises to God the Creator. Psalm 145 says, “My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.” This is our call and our invitation, and now, using the words God has given us through the voice of a Saint, we answer that invitation with a joyful “Alleluia!”

View worship notes, composer biographies, historical information and more about this featured hymn at www.hymnary.org.