The Dante Alighieri Society of Michigan, in collaboration with the Consulate of Italy in Detroit, the Solanus Casey Center, and Com.It.Es. Detroit, presented an event on October 11, 2026, to honor the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’s hymn Canticle of the Creatures and his death, recognizing it as a foundational work in the development of the Italian language and an enduring symbol of care for creation and environmental stewardship. The event was held in conjunction with the XXVI Week of the Italian Language in the World, held every year during the third week of October. This year’s theme is “Brilliant language: Conceiving, Designing, and Creating with Italian”.
One of the earliest works of Italian literature, the Canticle was written between 1224 and 1226 in the Umbrian dialect of Italian. St. Francis wrote it near the end of his life while suffering from illness and near-total blindness. The Canticle celebrates all of creation, from Brother Sun and Sister Moon to Mother Earth, inviting us to see the world as a sacred community.
The presentation was delivered by Bro. William Hugo, OFM Cap., Vicar Provincial, Provincial Director of Initial Formation, Director of Fraternal Collaboration, and a specialist in the writings of St. Francis. His talk explored St. Francis’s vision of creation as a universal sister-brotherhood linking all creatures through a shared Creator, tracing the composition of the Canticle and its profound spiritual message, including Francis’s striking reference to “Sister Bodily Death.” In this verse, added just before his death, Francis reframes death not as a curse, but as a natural part of the journey back to God.
Before his death, St. Francis also added this verse, written to help resolve a dispute between the mayor of Assisi and the bishop:
“Praised be You, my Lord, through those who give pardon to your love,
And bear infirmity and tribulation.
Blessed are those who endure in peace
For by you, Most High, they shall be crowned.”
Reconciliation occurred, and these words underscore the core of Franciscan spirituality: building and repairing relationships. In the serene setting of the Solanus Casey Center, Bro. Bill emphasized this concept’s importance in today’s world.
