Canticle of the Creatures
Celebrating 800 Years of St. Francis' Canticle of the Creatures
Franciscans worldwide this year are commemorating an 800-year-old prayer that, even in 1225, was a clarion call to protect our common home and live in solidarity with all creation.
Written during a time of personal suffering and illness, Canticle of the Creatures, one of St. Francis of Assisi's most profound and enduring works, expresses St. Francis' deep connection to God through the natural world. Praising Brother Sun, Sister Moon and all living things, the Canticle radiates humility, gratitude and interconnectedness — values that remain at the heart of Franciscan spirituality.
The Canticle of the Creatures Prayer
Narrated by Sister Meg Earsley
AdorationTalk: Canticle of the
Creatures Explained
Narrated by Sister Sarah Hennessey
Brother Sun and Sister Moon Liturgical Dance
Original performance by Affiliate Sharon Laitinen
For the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and their spirituality centers, this anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate and reflect. Throughout 2025, we will host special programs, events and activities inspired by the Canticle's themes: reverence for creation, care for the Earth and living in harmony with one another.
Below are upcoming events and activities; more will be added throughout the year. Please join us in this year of remembrance and renewal.
Canticle-Themed Tablecloth (FSC)
Every Tuesday
5-7 p.m.
Franciscan Spirituality Center, 920 Market Street, La Crosse, WI (Clare Room: Lower Level)
In honor of the 800th anniversary of St. Francis' Canticle of the Creatures, all are invited to stop by the Franciscan Spirituality Center to add their artistic touch to this nature-themed tablecloth. The completed tablecloth will be put on display at future Canticle-related events.
SOLD OUT: Screening of "The Letter: A Message for Our Earth"
April 10
5 p.m.
The Rivoli Theatre and Pizzeria, 117 4th Street N, La Crosse, WI
We invite you to join us for a free pizza and movie night on April 10 at the Rivoli Theatre! Enjoy pizza from Pizza Dolorosa at 5 p.m. and a special screening of The Letter: A Message for Our Earth at 5:30 p.m.
This thought-provoking documentary explores the urgent challenges facing our planet, weaving together powerful personal stories with the latest insights on the environmental crisis.
This event is free and open to the public. Registration is closed.
Creative Expression and Reflection with Zentangle (FSC/online)
April 17
5:30 - 7 p.m.
Franciscan Spirituality Center, 902 Market Street, La Crosse, WI or online via Zoom
Using simple and repetitive strokes, the Zentangle method is a creative and enjoyable way to focus, calm the mind and cultivate compassion for oneself and others while creating beautiful abstract art. Many people have found that creating art positively impacts their mental health. Discover your inner artist – no previous art experience is necessary.
Click the following links for more information and to register:
Justice and Peace Stations of the Cross (FSC)
April 18
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Franciscan Spirituality Center, La Crosse, WI (meet at the corner of Market and 9th streets)
This form of the Way of the Cross is a two-mile silent prayer walk from the heart of the city to the Mississippi River, stopping at 10 stations to sing, pray and reflect on injustices and suffering in our community and the world. The walk, which recalls the journey of Jesus as he carried his cross to Calvary, will take about two hours. People of all ages and faith backgrounds are invited to participate.
Visit fscenter.org for more information. Registration is not required.
Earth Day Celebration (Prairiewoods)
April 22
12-1 p.m. or 5-6 p.m.
Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center, 120 Boyson Road, Hiawatha, IA
Join us as we honor the beauty of creation and our shared responsibility to protect it. This special Earth Day walk celebrates the interconnectedness of all life, inspired by the timeless words of St. Francis of Assisi. It will include a reflective reading of The Canticle of the Creatures, a guided walk through the Prairiewoods trails and a community prayer and commitment to care for our planet.
Click the following links for more information and to register by April 21:
Session 1: 12-1 p.m. or Session 2: 5-6 p.m.
Canticle of the Sun (online)
April 23
6 - 7:30 p.m.
Online via Zoom
With a candle flame and a bowl of water, we will contemplate elements that St. Francis of Assisi celebrated to praise the Lord. We'll rejoice with Marty Haugen's song based on St. Francis' 1224 Canticle. What does it mean to relate to creation as Brother Son and Sister Moon, Brother Fire and Sister Mother Earth? How could it feel to meditate on the blessings of beautiful light, creatures and flowers?
Visit fscenter.org for more information and to register by April 21.
Neighbors Day (La Crosse)
April 26
8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
The Nature Place, 789 Myrick Park Drive, La Crosse, WI
Spring yard clean-up is a chore many of us take for granted. Every year, hundreds of volunteers help La Crosse residents complete yard projects they can no longer do themselves. FSPA is honored to sponsor Neighbors Day this year as we embrace our responsibility to care for all of God's creation. Together, let's rake, trim and connect with neighbors while nurturing the Earth.
Visit habitatlacrosse.org for more information and to sign up to volunteer. All FSPA sisters, affiliates, prayer partners and partners in mission are invited to join the FSPA volunteer team here.
Multi-Faith Earth Day Worship: Rooted Together in Place
April 26
4 p.m. - free community concert by Prairie Smoke
5 p.m. - service featuring Viterbo University's St. Francis Choir
The Nature Place, 789 Myrick Park Drive, La Crosse, WI
Everyone in the Driftless Region is invited to this community-oriented event to honor and celebrate our shared home: Earth. This multi-faith and spiritual worship service brings us together to honor our individual roots of faith, spirituality or values practices around Creation. We'll join together in ritual, song and reflection to celebrate and honor the sacredness of place.
Free and open to the public. No registration necessary.
La Crosse Earth Fair
April 27
11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Myrick Park, 2107 La Crosse Street, La Crosse, WI
All are invited to stop by our booth to chat about how we care for our Earth and all its inhabitants through stewardship and justice efforts. And while you're there, you're also invited to make an origami fish as part of our Fish for the Future campaign to take a stand against the Line 5 pipeline. Visit fishforfuture.org to learn more about our project and create your origami fish as a personal pledge to protect our water.
Watch sustaininstitute.com for the most up-to-date information about the fair.
Open Writing Circle (FSC)
May 5
6-8 p.m.
Franciscan Spirituality Center, 920 Market Street, La Crosse, WI
All are welcome to meet with others who enjoy writing in an atmosphere of respect and acceptance. Guided prompts will explore themes of gratitude, interconnectedness and care for our common home. Writers of all levels and anyone inspired by the beauty of creation and the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi are invited to reflect on the 800th anniversary of "Canticle of the Creatures."
Visit fscenter.org for more information. Registration is not required.
Be Still and Know (online)
May 14
6 - 7:30 p.m.
Online via Zoom
Deepen your relationship with creation through mindfulness and interbeing with nature. We will begin with a 20-minute guided meditation and continue with gentle, slow and sensory explorations. This Association of Nature and Forest Therapy-structured sequence was grown from the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku or "forest bathing." We bathe in the atmosphere of the forest (or the ecosystem we're in) and listen for the voice of the Spirit.
Visit fscenter.org for more information and to register by May 9.
Blessed: Creative Expression & Reflection with Zentangle (FSC)
June 7
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Franciscan Spirituality Center, 920 Market Street, La Crosse, WI or online via Zoom
Using simple and repetitive strokes, the Zentangle method is a creative and enjoyable way to focus, calm the mind and cultivate compassion for oneself and others while creating beautiful abstract art. During this workshop, we will embellish the word "BLESSED" and tangle ribbons with Zentangle patterns. Spend a peaceful morning discovering your inner artist!
Click the following links for more information and to register by June 2:
Nature Immersions in Love's Creation (FSC)
June 14
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
FSC hermitages on FSPA land on St. Joseph Ridge, La Crosse, WI
We will expand our embodied awareness of our spirituality and sacred interbeing with the practices of forest therapy, breathwork and gentle body movement. These include guided meditations, individual quiet time, song and group reflections. This retreat is non-judgmental, inclusive and trauma-informed; you can adjust each activity to your needs.
Visit fscenter.org for more information and to register by June 2.
Creek Cleanup in Honor of Sister Water (Prairiewoods)
June 13
9-11 a.m.
Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center, 120 Boyson Road, Hiawatha, IA
Celebrate the life-giving force of water as depicted in St. Francis of Assisi's The Canticle of the Creatures, in which Sister Water is praised for her clarity, humility and preciousness. Together, we will care for creation by cleaning up our local creek at Prairiewoods, reflecting on our connection to nature and giving thanks for the gift of water.
Visit prairiewoods.org for more information.
St. Francis Day Mass (St. Rose Convent)
Oct. 4
11 a.m.
Mary of the Angels Chapel, 901 Franciscan Way, La Crosse, WI
All are invited to join us for Mass in honor of St. Francis of Assisi's feast day.