St. Francis of Assisi Feast Day

 STEWARDS OF OUR EARTH

All of God’s Creation

Social Justice Committee, Holy Cross Parish, Mt. Airy, October 5, 2025

This weekend we celebrate the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi. The following reflection and artwork are provided by Bill Stigliani, artist and parishioner at Old St. Joseph’s Parish in Philadelphia. 

Boy in Poverty Gazing in Wonder at Firefly Magic on a Starry Starry Night

Pope Francis in his encyclical Laudato Si’: On Care of Our Common Home teaches us the inseparability of ecological and social justice in his plea “to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.” His words speak of an interconnected grief between impoverished humanity and the earth impoverished by environmental degradation.

We certainly have to name the pain and suffering, but above all to live our lives recognizing that the opposite is also true. We can then be mindful of seeking out hope and joy in the midst of the pain. I believe no one did this better than St. Francis of Assisi as so beautifully expressed in his great prayer:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:

Where there is despair, hope;   

Where there is darkness, light;     

Where there is sadness, joy.

My artwork endeavors to envision that other side of pain and devastation as the poor boy encounters nature on a firefly magic summer night. In this shining moment, he is witness to God’s majesty that embraces and heals the wounds of humanity and the natural world. The cares of our lives evaporate as He invites us to step into this sacred space of hope, joy, and light. It is a space of infinite hospitality where all are welcome and somehow we know we belong here and that we too are beloved beyond measure. It is a scene too beautiful to die, revealing the underlying truth of the Resurrection that conquers despair when all is said and done.

Saint Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of the Sun, written 800 years ago, calls the Earth our sister and mother. How can Mother Earth nurture us if we fail to contemplate, learn from, and love her? Ignoring our interconnectedness undermines this vital relationship. (Season of Creation, Laudato Si' Movement, 8/29/25) St. Francis, help us to love.

Comments on this column may be directed to the Social Justice Committee at socialjustice@holycrossphl.org. Click here for column archive.