In 2026, the celebration has particular significance: this year marks the 800th anniversary of Francis’s death in 1226. His words offer a fascinating connection with Italy’s cultural and literary history.
An early voice in Italian literature
Composed in 1225, the Canticle of the Creatures is one of the earliest and most celebrated literary works in an Italian vernacular. Francis wrote it in the language of medieval Umbria, rather than Latin.
The poem praises God through the natural world. The sun, moon, wind, water and earth become part of a song of gratitude. Later additions introduce forgiveness and death, extending the poem’s reflection beyond nature to human experience.
For learners, the text offers an intriguing question: how much of this language can we still recognise eight centuries later?
From medieval words to everyday Italian
You do not need advanced Italian to begin exploring the Canticle. Several words look familiar, while others reveal how the language has changed.
Francis refers to elements of nature as brothers and sisters. Here are a few examples, alongside their modern Italian equivalents:
| Words in the Canticle | Modern Italian | English meaning |
|---|---|---|
| frate sole | fratello sole | brother sun |
| sora luna | sorella luna | sister moon |
| frate vento | fratello vento | brother wind |
| sora acqua | sorella acqua | sister water |
| frate foco | fratello fuoco | brother fire |
These expressions convey a sense of closeness to the natural world. The sun and water are addressed as members of a shared family.
There is also an interesting detail for modern learners: frate still exists in Italian, but today it usually means “friar”. The everyday word for “brother” is fratello.
Other words are immediately recognisable: sole, luna, vento and acqua remain part of everyday Italian. You can use them in simple sentences:
- Oggi c’è il sole. — It is sunny today.
- La luna è bellissima stasera. — The moon is beautiful tonight.
- C’è molto vento. — It is very windy.
- Vorrei un bicchiere d’acqua. — I would like a glass of water.
A medieval poem can therefore become a starting point for practical conversation.
Why explore literature when learning Italian?
Learning Italian means discovering the stories, places and ideas behind the words.
Even a short literary passage can help you notice familiar vocabulary, listen to the rhythm of the language and understand how expressions have developed over time. You do not need to understand every word: recognising a few details is already a meaningful first step.
The Canticle is particularly inviting because it begins with things we all know: sunlight, water, the moon and the earth beneath our feet.
A small Italian activity
Try answering these questions in Italian:
- Quali parole della tabella conoscevi già?
Which words in the table did you already know? - Preferisci il sole, la pioggia o il vento? Perché?
Do you prefer sunshine, rain or wind? Why? - Qual è il tuo luogo preferito nella natura?
What is your favourite place in nature?
You can begin with a simple sentence: “Preferisco il sole perché…” or “Il mio luogo preferito è…”
Discover Italian language and culture in Milan
At Il Centro – Italian Language School in Milan, we connect language learning with real situations and Italian culture. A poem, a conversation or a walk through the city can offer new ways to understand and use Italian.
Discover our Italian courses in Milan and online and explore the language one conversation—and one story—at a time.