In this Year of St. Francis, Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity share an original song composed by Sister Mary DeSales Hoffmann. The song was recorded by a choir of our Sisters and shared during the 800th anniversary of the birth of St. Francis commemorated in 1982. How fitting to share the music again as we remember the 8ooth Anniversary of our father St. Francis’ death.
Sister Mary De Sales was born Feb. 2, 1931, in Clintonville, Wisconsin, daughter of the late George and Marie Grawey Eulrich Hoffmann. She entered the convent in 1944 and professed her vows in 1949. Sister Mary de Sales earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Holy Family College, Manitowoc, and a Master of Arts degree from St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri. Sister Mary de Sales served as a teacher at St. Anthony, Marinette, St. Mary, Rhinelander, St. Mary, Algoma, St. Paul, Manitowoc, and Holy Rosary, Kewaunee, all of Wisconsin. From 1968 to closely before her death in 2004, Sister Mary de Sales had been teaching Philosophy at Silver Lake College of the Holy Family, Manitowoc. “She touched many lives with her ability and gift of helping people to discern truth and a right course for living,”
Canticle of the Sun by Sister Mary De Sales Hoffmann
Lyrics: The Canticle of the Sun by Sister Mary DeSales Hoffmann
O most high almighty good Lord God
To Thee belong praise, glory, honor and all blessing.
Praised be my Lord God with all his creatures, and especially for our Brother the Sun,
who brings us the day and who brings us the light.
Fair is he and shines with a very great splendor.
O Lord, he signifies to us Thee.
Praised be my Lord for our sister, the moon, and for the stars,
the which Thou has set clear and lovely in heaven.
Praised be my Lord for our Brother the Wind, and for air and clouds, calms and all weather,
by which Thou upholdest life in all creatures.
Praised be my Lord for our Sister the water, who is very serviceable unto us all,
and humble and precious, and clean.
Praised be my Lord for our Brother the Fire
who givest us light in the darkness.
who is bright, and pleasant, and very mighty and strong.
Praised be my Lord for our Sister the Earth, the which doth sustain us and keep us
And bringeth forth diverse fruits and flowers of many colors, and grass.
Praised be my Lord for all who pardon one another for his love’s sake,
and who endure weakness, and tribulationn.
Blessed are they who peaceably endure for thou O most Highest
shall give them a crown.
Praised by my Lord for our Sister the Death of the Body, from which no one escapeth.
Woe to them who dieth in mortal sin.
Blessed are they who are found walking by thy most holy Will.
For the second death shall have no power to do them harm.
Praise ye and bless the Lord, and give thanks unto him
and serve him with great humility.
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