12th September 2026
There is a suggestion that a saunterer is a person walking to the Holy Land, coming from the French ‘à la sainte-terre’. So let’s consider sauntering to be a form of holy or blessed walking.
4th October is the Feast of St Francis. He is often seen as the environmentalists’ saint because of his love of nature. It wasn’t just that Francis enjoyed the company of birds, it was that he understood all parts of creation to be of equal value. He saw birds and animals, sun and wind, people rich and poor, well and ill, Christian and Muslim, infectious and healthy, as his brothers and sisters – and all therefore children of God. And as much as he treated them with care, love and respect so he expected the, to treat each other in the same way. In this hope I am sure he was often disappointed but never dissuaded. Francis wrote The Canticle of Creatures with this mutual respect in mind.
Can we show mutual respect for both our fellow human beings and for the vast interconnectedness of all parts of creation? Can we both show repentance for where we have caused harm and be proactive in healing what we have damaged?
Read the Canticle, and then as you walk pay attention to the wildlife, the people, and the seasonal changes around you.
Can you offer praise like Brother Sun? Can you offer praise like Sister, Mother Earth?
Can you receive gratefully what the birds and the plants give us as brother and sister?
Can you give back to them as generously?
Most High, all-powerful, good Lord,
Yours are the praises, the glory,
and the honour and all blessing.
To You alone, Most High, do they belong
and no human is worthy to mention Your name.
Praised be you, my Lord,
with all Your creatures,
especially Sir Brother Sun,
who is the day,
and through whom You give us light.
And he is beautiful
and radiant with great splendour;
and bears a likeness of You, Most High one.
Praised be You, my Lord,
through Sister Moon and the stars,
in heaven You formed them
clear and precious and beautiful.
Praised be You, my Lord,
through Brother Wind,
and through the air, cloudy and serene,
and every kind of weather
through which you give sustenance to your creatures.
Praised be You, my Lord,
through Sister water,
who is very useful and humble
and precious and chaste.
Praised be You, my Lord,
through Brother fire,
through whom You light the night,
and he is beautiful and playful
and robust and strong.
Praised be You, my Lord,
through our Sister Mother Earth,
who sustains and governs us,
and who produces various fruit
with coloured flowers and herbs.
Praised be You, my Lord,
through those who give pardon for Your love,
and bear infirmity and tribulation.
Blessed those who endure in peace,
for by You, Most High, shall they be crowned.
Praised be You, my Lord,
through our Sister Bodily Death,
from whom no one living can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin.
Blessed are those whom death
will find in Your most holy will,
for the second death shall do them no harm.
Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks
and serve Him with great humility.
The Green Tau 