Let them individually and collectively be in the forefront in promoting justice by the testimony
of their human lives and their courageous initiatives. Especially in the field of public life,
they should make definite choices in harmony with their faith. 
From the Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order

All People and All Creation

     Francis believed that he was called by Christ and the Gospel to be one with all people and all creation. We recognize Francis as a man of peace and, as Franciscans, we are called to live in kinship with creation, promoting peace and justice.
Francis giving his cloak to a poor man
     In holding up St. Francis as example to us as with his many titles (Patron of Peace, Patron of Animals, Patron of Nature, Patron of Italy, Patron of Ecology), the Church is communicating that all these things are significant and are deeply important.  Reflecting on St. Francis and how he lived his life, Pope John Paul II called for an 'ecological conversion' in each of us so that we also can live in greater peace and harmony with the earth and our Creator.  Promoting peace, justice, and caring for creation become for us pathways toward holiness. 
       St. Francis invites us along this path to holiness, to promote peace, justice, and to be in kinship with all of creation.  This call to  ecological holiness is as relevant today as when Francis wrote the Canticle of the Creatures over 800 years ago; it is an integral part of Franciscan spirituality today expressed and in sites such as 'Praying Nature with St. Francis of Assisi.'  The friars invite us to live inspired by the life and spirituality of St. Francis - who believed that all created beings praise and glorify God just by being themselves.
Francis preaching to the birds.
     Pope Francis, begins his letter (or encyclical) Laudato Si quoting St. Francis' Canticle of the Creatures, “Laudato si’, mi’ Signore” – “Praise be to you, my Lord”.  Pope Francis shares with us that 'In the words of this beautiful canticle, Saint Francis of Assisi reminds us that our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us.'

Catholic Social Teaching & JPIC

Making a Difference

Karron Esmonde, OFS is the San Luis Rey Fraternity JPIC 'Animator' - tasked with helping to bring JPIC ideals alive in our Fraternity. Karron is also a former fraternity Minister.
Moreover they should respect all creatures, animate and inanimate, which "bear the imprint of the Most High," and they should strive to move from the temptation of exploiting creation to the Franciscan concept of universal kinship.   Mindful that they are bearers of peace which must be built up unceasingly, they should seek out ways of unity and fraternal harmony through dialogue, trusting in the presence of the divine seed in everyone and in the transforming power of love and pardon. Messengers of perfect joy in every circumstance, they should strive to bring joy and hope to others.
From the Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order
Commentary was inspired in part both by the Praying Nature website by Br. Cathal Duddy, OFM of the Irish Franciscans
and also the Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. Joseph.  The image of Francis Kneeling is a detail from 'Francis and the Wolf'
by John August Swanson and is used with permission.
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