Pitchfork

The dozen rules of the Franciscan order are put in place to help guide Franciscans-- a subset of sorts within several Christian churches-- through leading a moral life. (Kind of like the ten commandments.) Franciscans the world over are a tight-knit bunch, ever tighter since the internet provided them with opportunities for large-scale fellowship heretofore impossible.

Each month, the Franciscans participate in something called "Franciscanized World vocation," to which there is a kind of meditative theme song. This month, that song is Sufjan Stevens' "All the Trees of the Field Will Clap Their Hands", from the Seven Swans LP. (Thanks to the Sufjan fan site All Good Naysayers for the tip!)

Of course, Seven Swans lays the Christian imagery on pretty thick, but it's in a generally nondenominational way. According to Sister Mary Carol Kopecky of Manitowoc, Wisconsin's Holy Family Conservatory, "On October 4th the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron of ecology, is celebrated throughout the world. Francis could easily have spoken the words, 'And I heard from the trees a great parade.' All nature, even the smallest creature spoke to Francis and he was in awe of all of God's creation. The lyrics read as a litany or stream of consciousness. Reflection on each idea is up to the individual. Each of us, with our varied experiences, will relate differently to the message. The ostinato (repeated) instrumental and later background vocalists are conducive to meditation. Pray Psalms 147, 148 and 150 to praise God for all creation. Yes, you will 'be invited to the sound'." Neat! Can I get a plus one?

Anyhow, if you're feeling the hand of St. Francis on your shoulder or just want a free download of a pretty good old Sufjan cut, you can head here. May the grace and peace of a beloved indie rock singer-songwriter be with you.

In other Sufjan news, he's paused work on his forthcoming Delaware: Hi! We're in...Delaware! (or whatever) to pop up on a couple new discs from Marla Hansen and Chris Schlarb, and an even more docile version of one of his Christmas cuts is on that lullaby comp.