Francis knew he was dying. A doctor friend from Arezzo had come to visit him and told him that with God’s grace, all would be well. But Francis knew his friend was trying to make him feel better about his exhaustion and acute pain. So he said in return, “Please tell me the truth. Whether I live or die makes no difference to me. I only want to do God’s will.” “Well, then dear Brother Francis, as a doctor, I have to tell you that your illness is incurable, and as your friend, I need to say further that I believe you will die at the end of September or beginning of October.” Francis was ecstatic! He lifted his arms toward heaven and said, “Welcome, Sister Death.”
And when that moment finally came in early October, Francis called to Brother Angelo and Brother Leo to come to where he lay on the ground and sing for him “The Canticle of the Creatures.” Which they did, even as their voices broke with sobs. And when they came to the end, Francis, even in his weakness, sang a final verse he composed spontaneously.
Praise to you, my Lord, for our Sister bodily death,
from whom no living creature can escape.
How dreadful for those who die in sin.
How lovely for those she finds in
Your most holy will,
For the second death can do them no harm.
O praise and bless my Lord,
thank Him and serve Him
Humbly but grandly!
—from the book Surrounded by Love: Seven Teachings from Saint Francis
by Murray Bodo, OFM
