Whitesands bay and St David's head - Philip and Sheila

Well, are we all ready for another ramble round the West Wales Coastal path. We need to be wrapped up well and ready to see some amazing scenery, flora and fauna. I hope Di and Pat are tuning in as this will be so familiar to you both and so well loved too.

Thank you Philip and Sheila for guiding us today and it felt as if we were with you, we could almost smell the sea air and feel ourselves buffeted by those winds, rain and hail. The beach looks lovely and I bet it is pretty full come the Summer months. We are most grateful to you both for sharing these experiences with us.

Prayer.

A Song of Brother Sun (also known as the Canticle of the Creatures)

This is perhaps the best known of St Francis’ writings, and one of the best loved and most used. It has a particular resonance today when people are seeking to forge a new relationship with creation.It was written towards the end of Francis’ life; the first part when he was seriously ill, probably in 1225; the second part in an attempt to make peace between the Mayor and Bishop of Assisi, who had quarrelled, and the final verse on his deathbed.

"Most High, all powerful, good Lord,

yours are the praises, the glory, 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.

Blessèd are those who endure in peace: for by you, Most High, shall they be crowned.

Praised be you, my Lord, for our Sister, Bodily Death, from whom no one living can escape: woe to those who die in mortal sin.

Blessèd 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."