(picture taken at Transitus)
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI = patron of ecology
2014 marks the 35th anniversary of when St. Francis was named the PATRON OF ECOLOGY by Pope John Paul II in 1979.
As we wish you a BLESSED FEAST OF ST. FRANCIS this year, we share with you a few remarks from the TRANSITUS service we had here at our House of Prayer:
With Franciscans all over the world, and with friends of St. Francis of Assisi, we gather on the eve of his feast day to honor his name, to hear stories about his life from people close to him, to remember his death, and in a special way this year to honor the 35th anniversary of when St. Francis of Assisi was named by Pope John Paul II in 1979 as the PATRON OF ECOLOGY.
In the words of the Papal Declaration, Pope John Paul II proclaimed: "Among the holy and admirable men who have revered nature as a wonderful gift of God to the human race, St. Francis of Assisi deserves special consideration. For he, in a special way, deeply sensed the universal works of the Creator and, filled with a certain divine spirit, sang that very beautiful "Canticle of the Creatures'. Through them, Brother Sun most powerful and Sister Moon and the stars of heaven, he offered fitting praise, glory, honor, and all blessing to the most high, all powerful, good Lord.
Pope John Paul II declared St. Francis to be the PATRON OF ECOLOGY, telling us that this poor man of Assisi offers Christians an example of genuine and deep respect for the integrity of creation. He indicated that it was his hope that the inspiration of St. Francis will help us to keep ever alive a sense of fraternity with all those good and beautiful things which Almighty God has created.
In a commentary on this proclamation, an author tells us: "St. Francis pushes the boundaries for us today to reconsider and broaden our understanding of the gospel question: "Who is my neighbor?" Because for Francis the concept of 'neighbor' included, not only the human race, but the whole of creation.
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