When St. Francis gave a parchment to Brother Leo on Mount LaVerna, the paper contained Francis’ writings about his Praises of God, to which he added the Blessing of Leo. The original writing of the praises is faint in some areas, as Brother Leo had folded the paper and carried it with him religiously for over 40 years!  However, some researchers have used modern technology (such as infrared) to try to restore the original text, in conjunction with earlier manuscripts that also preserved forms of these praises. The Praises of God below are one result of such attempts to regain the original as written by Francis.

 

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The Praises of God

You are holy Lord God, Who does wonderful things.
You are strong. You are great. You are the most high.
You are the almighty king. You holy Father,
King of heaven and earth.
You are three and one, the Lord God of gods;
You are the good, all good, the highest good,
Lord God living   and true.
You are love, charity; You are wisdom, You are humility,
You are patience, You are beauty, You are meekness,
You are security, You are rest,
You are gladness and joy, You are our hope, You are justice,
You are moderation, You are all our riches to sufficiency.
You are beauty, You are meekness,
You are the protector,  You are our custodian and defender,
You are strength, You are refreshment. You are our hope,
You are our faith, You are our charity,
You are all our sweetness, You are our eternal life:
Great and wonderful Lord, Almighty God, Merciful Savior.