THREE PAIRS OF BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN FRANCIS'S CANTICLE OF THE CREATURES

The Author writes that there is a strong evidence that when Francis wrote the Canticle he conceived the inanimate creatures he mentions in verses 3-9 as symbols of deeper spiritual realities. Certain expressions which don't make sense when referred to the inanimate realities make a lot more sense when applied to these spiritual realities. And the contradiction of applying the names "Brother" and "Sister" to certain other terms also disappears. So we can understand these "Brothers" and "Sisters" as symbols of important spiritual realities (God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, Mary, the Church). So the Canticle is not just a prayer of praise which joins us as "Brothers" and "Sisters" to all of creation. It is more. It contains seeds of contemplation which call us to live in a deep and authentic relationship to God and people and creation.