Story St. Francis Speaks to the Birds

8/2/2019 Story St. Francis Speaks to the Birds

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St. Francis’ Speaks to the Birds

Father Francis and hiscompanions were making a

tr ip through the SpoletoValley near the town of Bevagna. Suddenly, Francisspotted a great number of birds of al l variet ies. Therewere doves, crows and allsor ts of birds. Swept up in

the moment, Francis left hisfr iends in the road and ranafter the birds, who patiently waited for him. He greeted

them in his usual way,expecting them to scurry off into the air as he spoke. But

they moved not.

Fi l led with awe, he asked them if they would stay awhile and l isten to the

Word of God. He said to them: “My brother and sister birds, you should praise your Creator and always love him: He gaveyou feathers for clothes, wings to f ly and al l other things that youneed. It is God who made you noble among all creatures, making your home in thin, pure air. Without sowing or reaping , you receive God’sguidance and protection.”

At this the birds began to spread their wings, stretch their necksand gaze at Fr ancis , rejoicing and prais ing God in a wonderful way according to their nature. Francis then walked right through the middleof them, turned around and came back, touching their heads andbodies with his tunic .



Then he gave them his blessing, making the sign of the cross over them. At that they f lew off and Francis , rejoicing and giving thanks toGod, went on hi s way.

Later, Francis wondered aloud to his companions why he hadnever preached to birds before. And from that day on, Francis made ithis habit to sol ic itously invoke al l birds, al l animals and repti les topraise and love their Creator. And many times during Francis’ l i fe therewere remarkable events of Fr ancis speaking to the animals. There waseven a t ime when St . Francis quieted a f lock of noisy birds that wereinterrupting a rel igious ceremony! Much to the wonder of al l present,

the birds remained quiet unti l Francis ’ sermon was complete .

Here is an actual excerpt from St. Francis’ Sermon to the Birds, givenaround 1220 A.D. The language shows his reverence for God.

My litt le sisters, the birds, much bounden are ye unto God, your Creator, and always in every place ought ye to praise Him, for that Hehath given you l iber ty to f ly about ever ywhere, and hath also given youdouble and tr iple r ainment; moreover He preserved your seed in theark of Noah, that your race might not perish out of the wor ld; st i l lmore are ye beholden to Him for the element of the air which He

hath appointed for you; beyond all this, ye sow not, neither do youreap; and God feedeth you, and giveth you the streams and fountainsfor your drink; the mountains and val leys for your refuge and the high

trees whereon to make your nests; and because ye know not how tospin or sow, God clotheth you, you and your children; wherefore your Creator loveth you much, seeing that He hath bestowed on you somany benefits; and therefore, my l itt le sisters, beware of the sin of ingrat itude, and study always to give praises unto God.



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Story St. Francis Speaks to the Birds