This article is part of a series of reflections written by our International Board of Directors to celebrate the 800 year anniversary of the Canticle of Creatures
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“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.”
— Saint Francis of Assisi
In his Canticle of the Creatures, St. Francis saw no separation between spirit and soil, heaven and earth, breath and being. He called the wind “Brother,” recognizing in its unseen currents the presence of God — wild, free, and sustaining.
Wind is the movement of air, and air is the breath of life. It is the invisible gift we so often overlook. From the first breath we take to our last, we are held in the embrace of Brother Wind — carried, comforted, and sustained. In the book of Genesis, it is God who breathes life into humanity. And in the Gospel of John, Jesus likens the Spirit of God to the wind — moving where it will, felt but not seen, always a mystery.
Air surrounds us, whether cloudy or serene, turbulent or still. It teaches us that God’s presence does not depend on clarity or calm. Even in stormy moments, the Spirit is always moving — stirring what has grown stagnant, sweeping away what no longer serves, and inviting us into freedom.
Saint Francis did not praise the wind because it was pleasant or predictable. He praised it because it served God’s purpose. So too it is with our lives. We are called not to control the wind but to trust the One who sends it. To let our hearts be moved, our breath be sacred, and our spirits be stirred by the Holy Mystery in all things.
Let us take a moment, now, to breathe deeply. To step outside and feel the wind on our face, to give thanks for the unseen gifts that sustain us. Let us listen for the Spirit in the rustling leaves, the shifting skies, and the quiet breath that fills our lungs.
Prayer
“Holy God, may we praise You through Brother Wind,
who reminds us of Your Spirit — unseen, yet always present.
Teach us to live in harmony with all creation,
and to recognize in every breath a reason to give thanks. Amen.”
Reflection Question
When was the last time you paused to feel the wind or notice your breath? In what ways might the Spirit of God be gently moving in your life, even if you cannot see it?
By Carolyn D. Townes OFS