Saint Francis of Assisi and "Sister Lark"

Above all other birds Blessed Francis loved the crested lark...and he would say of her: "Sister Lark has a hood like a Religious, and she is humble, for in joy wherever she endeavors to find a few grains of corn, and eats them."

"When she is in flight she gives praise to God sweetly and right, even as the good Religious does when they look down on earthly things, whose conversation is in heaven, and intent is always to the praise of God."

This is the traditional image that many people think of, when Saint Francis with the birds are mentioned. Saint Francis was not a "bird watcher" in the current sense of the word, but he was exceptionally kind to all people, animals and even to insects. He had the innocence of a child, and somehow the birds around him seemed to sense that he would do them no harm.

Perhaps the most famous incident that illustrates the Saint’s humility towards nature is recounted in the Fioretti (The Little Flowers), a collection of legends and folk-lore that sprang up after the saint’s death. It is said that one day while Francis was traveling with some companions they happened upon a place in the road where birds filled the trees on either side. Francis told his companions to “wait for me while I go a preach to my sisters the birds.” The birds surrounded him, drawn by the power of his voice, and not one of them flew away. Francis spoke to them:

“My sister birds, you owe much to God, and you must always and in everyplace give praise to Him; for He has given you freedom to wing through the sky and He has clothed you…you neither sow nor reap, and God feeds you and gives you rivers and fountains for your thirst, and mountains and valleys for shelter, and tall trees for your nests. And although you neither know how to spin or weave, God dresses you and your children, for the Creator loves you greatly and He blesses you abundantly. Therefore…always seek to praise God.”

"Therefore…always seek to praise God." Isn't that what all should do?

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Quoted text ref. "Sister Lark" courtesy Joe Canosa, SFO.  Crested Lark photo from the Internet, cropped, photographer not known; St.. Francis image above, in public domain.