The Universal Sister-Brotherhood in St. Francis and the Canticle of the Creatures
A Commemoration of the 800th Anniversary
Sunday, October 11, 2026 @ 3:00 PM
Solanus Casey Center, 1780 Mt Elliott St, Detroit, MI 48207
Join us for a special program marking the 800th anniversary of the Canticle of the Creatures, the timeless hymn composed by Saint Francis of Assisi in 1225. One of the earliest works of Italian literature, 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 featured presentation will be delivered by Bro. William Hugo, OFM Cap., Vicar Provincial, Provincial Director of Initial Formation, and Director of Fraternal Collaboration. His talk explores 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 Death.”
Through music, readings, and reflection, this event invites participants to rediscover the enduring beauty and relevance of Francis’s vision eight centuries later.
Organized by the Dante Alighieri Society of Michigan in collaboration with the Consulate of Italy in Detroit, the Solanus Casey Center, and Com.It.Es. Detroit, this event is presented in conjunction with the Week of the Italian Language in the World.
It honors St. Francis’ Canticle of the Creatures, recognizing it as a foundational work in the development of the Italian language and as an enduring symbol of care for creation and environmental stewardship.
Light refreshments will be served.
Free and Open to the Public: Registration Is Required and limited.
~~~~
The Week of the Italian Language in the World is held every year during the third week of October. Organized by the diplomatic-consular network and the Italian Cultural Institutes in collaboration with our main partners in language promotion (MiC, MIM, MUR, CePeLL, the Government of the Swiss Confederation, the Accademia della Crusca, CGIE, the Italian-language Radio and Television Community, the Treccani Italian Encyclopedia Institute, RAI Italia, and the Dante Alighieri Society), the Week has, over time, become the most important global event dedicated to our language. Since its establishment in 2001, this initiative has annually received the High Patronage of the President of the Republic.
Each edition is dedicated to a different theme, which serves as the guiding thread for a rich program of conferences, exhibitions, and meetings.
The theme of the XXVI WEEK OF THE ITALIAN LANGUAGE IN THE WORLD | #SLIM2026
“Brilliant Language: imagining, designing, creating with Italian.”
Contributing to “shaping a dynamic and forward-looking image of our country, which through its ‘brilliant’ language—heir to a long and rich history and tradition—exports to the world the very best of its expertise, embodied in technology, science, engineering, design, fashion, gastronomy, literature, art, and history.”
