This past May, Pope Francis called for a year celebrating the message of Laudato si’: On the Care of Our Common Home. This special year is observed from May 24, 2020 to May 24, 2021 and is promoted by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. Our Holy Father urges us to take care of our brothers and sisters worldwide and to work with them in solidarity. He also emphasizes the need to care for Creation as a gift from the Father and to take responsibility for our use of resources.
As Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist we joyfully work our portiuncula (“little portion”) of Creation through growing our food, flowers, and caring for our animals. We labor side-by-side with each other and in union with all who “toil for the bread” they eat (Ps 127:2). This kind of work does more than provide for our basic needs. It helps us to reclaim right relationship to the land which man was meant to cultivate from the very beginning.
Just like St. Francis, we come to see Christ in the person with whom we are working. Even the sun and soil become our brother and sister since we all have the same heavenly Father. As we celebrate this year of Laudato si‘ let us give praise to God for the wonders of His magnificent Creation and be converted to ever more faithful stewardship.
