The Patron Saint of Ecology

It’s Spring.

A season of new life, and of appreciation of the beauty of nature.

St. Francis of Assisi, of course appreciated nature in a far more profound way than he is often stereotyped with bird baths and lawn ornaments. He is called the patron saint of the environment and ecology.    

Pope St. John Paul II, on November 29, 1979, recognized this connection  when he issued a papal bull declaring St. Francis i the patron of ecology and of those who promote ecology.

The Pope wrote: "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. or 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’"

In that Canticle – also called “The Canticle of Creation,”  St. Francis wrote,

“Be praised, my Lord,

for Sister Earth, our Mother,

who nourishes us and sustains us,

bringing forth fruits and vegetables of many kinds

and flowers of many colors.”

 

~ From “The Canticle of Creation”

 

Following the publication of Pope Francis’s  Laudato Si': On Care for Our Common Home, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops created a prayer based on the encyclical:

 

Prayer to Care for Our Common Home

 

Father of all,

Creator and ruler of the universe,

You entrusted your world to us as a gift.

Help us to care for it and all people,

that we may live in right relationship—

  with You,

  with ourselves,

  with one another,

  and with creation.

 

Christ our Lord, both divine and human,

You lived among us and died for our sins.

Help us to imitate your love for the human family

by recognizing that we are all connected

— to our brothers and sisters around the world,

    to those in poverty impacted by environmental devastation,

    and to future generations.

 

Holy Spirit, giver of wisdom and love,

You breathe life in us and guide us.

Help us to live according to your vision,

stirring to action the hearts of all—

  individuals and families, communities of faith,

  and civil and political leaders.

 

Triune God, help us to hear the cry of those in poverty, and the cry of the earth, so that we may together care for our common home. Amen.

 

So what do we do?

 

The National Justice, Peace and integrity of Creation Office has one suggested step. 

 

 

A Call to Action

 

Single-use plastics, often also referred to as disposable plastics, are commonly used for plastic packaging and include items intended to be used only once before they are thrown away or recycled. These include, among other items, grocery bags, food packaging, bottles, straws, containers, k-cups, cups and cutlery. Think about your experience and use of single-use plastics.

 

Pick just one plastic item: straws, grocery bags, bottles, or cutlery. Replace this item with a more eco-friendly replacement, like having reusable bags with you when you grocery shop. Or, keep a set of metal or bamboo cutlery wrapped in a reusable cloth napkin with you when you go to eat. How about using paper, metal or silicon straws instead of wasting the plastic ones? Just replace one item at a time and see how it feels. It may not seem like much, but in the long run, it will end up making a big difference.

Pax et bonum