|
|
|
|
|
|
Tuesday, September 27, 2011 |
|
SOCIAL JUSTICE: St. Francis, Patron Saint of the Environment
By St Mary Administrator @ 8:21 AM :: 94 Views ::  :: Social Justice
|
 |
“Let everything that lives and that breathes give praise to the Lord. Alleluia! (Ps. 150:6)
Many books have been written about St. Francis, and his statue often decorates gardens. A movie, Brother Sun, Sister Moon, is a poetic reflection on his life. What is perhaps lost in this volume of writing is that St. Francis’ love for creation was neither sentimental nor superficial. He understood in true humility what glory lies in being a creature of so great and loving a God!
St. Francis was born in Assisi in 1182. He enjoyed a carefree youth, but while still young, renounced his paternal wealth and committed himself to God after having several spiritual experiences, including a meeting with a leper, and hearing a voice from a crucifix in which God seemed to be directing him to: “Go, Francis, and repair my house which as you see is falling into ruin." At first, Francis thought God meant the building, but eventually, he came to know that God meant the church of His people, and from then on he led a life of evangelical poverty, preaching the love of God to all, (including the birds!) and giving sustenance to the poor and the sick. He established a rule which a number of his companions followed and gained the approval of the Holy See. Although he consented to become a deacon, he was never ordained a priest. Throughout his life and sufferings, including receiving the stigmata, he manifested a true joyfulness in all he did, succumbing in 1226 to “sister death”.
St. Francis is a saint for our time, not only because of his deep appreciation for God’s creation but also because he sought the Saracen leader (a nephew of Saladin) of that time during the Crusades in order to convert him and thus bring about peace; not much is known about their conversation, but Francis was received graciously and returned to Italy safely.
Francis is well known for the "Canticle of Brother Sun." Written late in the saint's life, when blindness had limited his sight of the outside world, the canticle shows that his imagination was alive with love for creation.
Among the many books written about Francis, one which truly captures his loving spirit is Reluctant Saint: The Life of St. Francis of Assisi (2002) by Donald Spoto.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|