October 4 is a GREAT DAY!!!!

We celebrate Mary Frances Clarke, the Foundress of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She was a Franciscan Tertiary—a person who lives the Gospel in one’s own home and was inspired by St. Francis of Assisi.

We celebrate St. Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of Ecology, and better known for his love of animals and creation (which includes people!).

We celebrate the official conclusion of The Season of Creation, a worldwide movement when the Christian family unites for celebration of prayer and action to protect our common home: Earth. This year’s theme is “Listen to the Voice of Creation.”

It is a great time to recall and “listen” again to the wisdom and insights from Mary Frances Clarke and Francis of Assisi. For both of them, and their followers, relationships are key to living and loving. Relationship with our human sisters and brothers, as well as with creatures, and all creation. It was core to their spirituality which reflects an “eco spirituality,” highlighting the interconnectedness and interrelatedness with all creation. Their writings reflect this beautifully.

Mary Frances Clarke wrote in the 1882 Custom Book, Regarding School, “We must wake up [the students’] minds by constantly calling into action their powers of observation and reasoning and incite them to ascertain for themselves. If we do not do this or if we do it poorly, they will grow up blind, so to speak, to the manifold beauty of God’s creation; they will study none of the plans of nature that are constantly working so wonderfully above, around, and beneath. But to so direct the minds of our children we ourselves must be alive to our surroundings in this beautiful world of the visible creation of God.”

The BVM Senate of 1995 had this recommendation: “The Senate recommends that the BVM Congregation corporately and individually support and initiate efforts to promote right relationship with Earth.”

St. Francis of Assisi’s The Canticle of the Creatures was sung and reflected the many faces of relationships.

Most High, all-powerful, Good God,
Yours are the praises, the glory, and the honor, and all blessings.
To You alone, Most High, do they belong,
And no human is worthy to mention Your name.

Praised be You, O God, with all Your creatures,
Especially Sir Brother Sun,
Who is the day and through whom You give us light.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor;
And bears a likeness of You, Most High One.

Praised be You, O God, through Sister Moon and the stars,
In Heaven, You formed them clear, and precious, and beautiful.
Praised be You, O God, through Brother Wind
And through the air, cloudy and serene, and every kind of weather
Through whom You give substance to Your creatures.

Praised be You, O God, through Sister Water,
Who is very useful, and humble, and precious, and chaste.
Praised be You, O God, through Brother Fire
Through whom You light the night,
and he is beautiful, and playful, and robust, and strong.

Praised by You O God, through our Sister Mother Earth
Who sustains and governs us,
And who produces various fruit with colored flowers and herbs.
Praised be You, O God, through those who give pardon for Your love,
And bear infirmity and tribulation.
Blessed are those who endure in peace
For by You, Most High, shall they be crowned.

Let us celebrate these beloved people, each other, and creation, in our time and place.