Canticle Of The Earth (Book)
The Words of Francis of Assisi

Celebrated in the Photography of
David and Marc Muench

Canticle of the Earth: The Words of Francis of Assisi takes the time-honored song of praise by St. Francis and brings it colorfully to life through 70 stunning, evocative full-color photographs by master landscape and wilderness photographers, David Muench and Marc Muench. Their photography celebrates the earth and the spiritual forces of nature, making it a natural companion to the words of St. Francis. Anyone who finds a kinship and spiritual presence in the natural world will discover here a source of inspiration and deep contemplation.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through all that you have made,
And first my lord Brother Sun,
Who brings the day; and light you give to us through him.
How beautiful is he, how radiant in all his splendour!
Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Moon and Stars;
In the heavens you have made them, bright
And precious and fair.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air,
And fair and stormy, all the weather's moods,
By which you cherish all that you have made.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Water,
So useful, lowly, precious and pure.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Brother Fire,
Through whom you brighten up the night.
How beautiful is he, how gay! Full of power and strength.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Earth, our mother,
Who feeds us in her sovereignty and produces
Various fruits with coloured flowers and herbs.

About the Photographers

Marc Muench was born in 1966 in Santa Barbara, California. He has been a professional landscape and sports photographer since he finished his studies at Pasadena Art Center College of Design in 1989. Marc's photography has appeared in numerous magazines including Time, National Geographic, and Sierra Magazine. Two volumes of his own photography have been published; The Canticle of Creation is his third collaboration with his father.