O praise Him!

There's a yet another song on my playlist I think you should all listen to! I found it on the playlist website when I did a search for Trinity College Choir (I love choral music!). In the first few seconds, I recognized the tune - we sing it to the words of "Sing We Triumphant Hymns of Praise" at Easter. I listened to it and was delighted by the beautiful arrangement, and then when I looked up the lyrics, I was even more delighted to find out that it is St. Francis of Asissi's "Canticle of the Sun"!

These are, more or less, the lyrics. I found a ton of different translations, but this one has the most verses. I love the words too! St. Francis's view of the world was so beautiful...everything was his sister or mother or brother, because all had been created by their Father, God.

All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
Thou silver moon with softer gleam!

Refrain
O praise Him! O praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou rushing wind that art so strong
Ye clouds that sail in Heaven along,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou rising moon, in praise rejoice,
Ye lights of evening, find a voice!

Refrain

Thou flowing water, pure and clear,
Make music for thy Lord to hear,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou fire so masterful and bright,
That givest man both warmth and light.

Refrain

Dear mother earth, who day by day
Unfoldest blessings on our way,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
The flowers and fruits that in thee grow,
Let them His glory also show.

Refrain

And all ye men of tender heart,
Forgiving others, take your part,
O sing ye! Alleluia!
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
Praise God and on Him cast your care!

Refrain

And thou most kind and gentle Death,
Waiting to hush our latest breath,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou leadest home the child of God,
And Christ our Lord the way hath trod.

Refrain

Let all things their Creator bless,
And worship Him in humbleness,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One!

Refrain

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I was very excited to read about minor-league baseball player Grant Desme, who, in the words of this article, is going "to leave playing against the Padres and Cardinals so he can start praying with other padres and cardinals at a Catholic seminary in Orange County". He's only 23 and could have been picked this year to be a late-season call-up for the major leagues, but he left this possibility of fame and honor and fortune to follow God's call. Isn't that wonderful? This man is one of my heroes now! It's wonderful to know that people are still open to God's voice, still willing to leave everything and follow Him. It sounds like something that would have happened in the 1940's or 1950's, but no, it happened in the corrupt society of the 21st century! There is still hope, that's for sure. Let's pray that the future Fr. Desme will always be just as willing to follow God's will as he is now.