教宗方濟各在2015年8月10日致函宗座正義與和平委員會主席圖爾克森樞機和基督徒合一促進委員會主席科赫樞機,欽定每年9月1日為「照料受造界世界祈禱日」。鑒於正教會已於1989年起在同一天為受造界祈禱,因此這祈禱日具有大公性質。
。該通諭一出,立即受到世界各地的關注,如美國總統奧巴馬為響應教宗的呼籲,他在8月3日宣布新清潔能源計劃、馬拉維政府承諾對抗氣候變化、香港教區已成立小組跟進此環保的通諭、台灣教會促請政府和人民注視「過度開發」造成毀壞台灣大自然的危機等等。而教宗新通諭的標題:《願祢受讚頌》是出自聖方濟各亞西西的《太陽歌》。
在這「照料受造界世界祈禱日」中,讓我們一起頌念《太陽歌》,默想其中的意思,感謝天主對一切受造物之恩,並祈求我們有一顆愛惜大自然的心,並與教宗一起呼求天主之母聖母瑪利亞和聖方濟各亞西西,祈求他們為我們轉禱。
太陽歌(造物讚)
至高、全能、仁善之主,讚頌、光榮、尊敬,及一切的稱揚,
皆應歸屬於你!
至高者,祗有歸屬於你是適當的,
誰也不配呼號你的聖名。
我主,願你因著你造生的萬物,
特別因著太陽兄弟而受讚頌,
因為你藉太陽造成白晝而照耀我們。
太陽是美妙的,它發射巨大光輝,
至高者,它是你的象徵。
我主,為月亮妹妹和星辰,願你受讚頌!
你曾願造化它們於天上,它們光明、珍貴而美麗。
我主,為了風兄弟,又為了空氣和白雲,
晴朗和各種氣候,願你受讚頌!
因為藉著它們,你使你的受造物得到撫慰。
我主,為了水妹妹,願你受讚頌!
它非常有用而謙虛,珍貴而貞潔。
我主,為了火兄弟,願你受讚頌,
你用它光照黑夜;
它英俊而愉快,勁健而有力。
我主,為了我們慈母般的地姊姊,願你受讚頌!
它載負我們並照顧我們,
生產不同的果實,色彩繽紛的花卉和草木。
那些為了愛你,而忍受不公平和痛苦,
並寬恕別人的人,我主,願你因著他們而受讚頌!
堅持和平的人是有福的,
因為他們將由你,至高者獲得榮冕。
死亡妹妹,是任何活人
不能逃避的,我主,願你因它而讚頌。
唯有死於大罪中的人,是有禍的!
承行你至聖旨意的人,是有福的,
因為第二死亡,不能損害他們。
請你們讚頌、稱揚我主!
請以極大的謙誠,感謝、事奉他!
亞孟。
The Canticle of Brother Sun
Most High, all powerful, good Lord,
Yours are the praises, the glory, the honor,
and all blessing.
To You alone, Most High, do they belong,
and no man is worthy to mention Your name.
Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures,
especially through my lord Brother Sun,
who brings the day; and you give light through him.
And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor!
Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.
Praise 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,
which 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 Sister Mother Earth,
who sustains us and governs us and who produces
varied fruits with colored flowers and herbs.
Praised be You, my Lord,
through those who give pardon for Your love,
and bear infirmity and tribulation.
Blessed are those who endure in peace
for by You, Most High, they shall be crowned.
Praised be You, my Lord,
through our Sister Bodily Death,
from whom no living man can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin.
Blessed are those whom death will
find in Your most holy willl,
for the second death shall do them no harm.
Praise and bless my Lord,
and give Him thanks
and serve Him with great humility.
AMEN.