Opening of the Centenary of the “Canticle of the Creatures” in Russia

On January 8, 2025, the Catholic community of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Smoleńsk, in the Russian Federation, inaugurated the Centenary of the “Canticle of the Creatures” in the presence of the Metropolitan Archbishop of Moscow, Paolo Pezzi. The solemn liturgy was also attended by the parish priest, Fr. Ptolomeusz Kuczmik, OFM, on his 60th birthday, and Fr. Kanizy Kąkol, OFM.

Archbishop Pezzi wanted to thank Fr. Ptolomeusz for his long and faithful service to the community of Smoleńsk, which he traditionally visits every year in January, and also for the presence of a nativity scene which stands out throughout the archdiocese for its beauty, value, and importance.  For many years, in fact, the creche of Smoleńsk is much appreciated by the people, by tourists who come from different parts of Russia and also from Belarus.  This year, on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the “Canticle of the Creatures” (also known by many as the “Canticle of Brother Sun”), the creche has been enriched with various elements present in the Canticle of St. Francis, such as brother sun, the stars, sister moon, sister water, brother fire, brother wind… 

The archbishop of Moscow also had words of gratitude to the Friars Minor for the celebration of the Centenaries, which allowed the community to worship God for His creative work within the jubilee year which the whole Catholic church has been experiencing since December 24, 2024.

In his homily, Archbishop Pezzi referred to the thought of St. John Paul II: “I bless you, Lord, for the gift of wonder!  Whenever we do not show gratitude to God and therefore do not know how to marvel at what God does for us, we always remain in front of the door behind which He is: we do not enter Him, we do not enter into His Mystery, into the Mystery of Creation which is like a continuous eternal birth from God”. 

Thanks be to God for the beautiful moment of encounter with God and with man in our journey as Pilgrims of Hope.

The Friars Minor of Smoleńsk