I just finished reading the book Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor by Leonardo Boff, and I found myself starting at the end, reading chapter by chapter from the back. Then after several chapters, moving to the beginning of the book and finding my way forward. I usually don’t read books this way, but the final chapter was about Saint Francis of Assisi and I wanted to start there. I wanted to start with his beautiful example as patron saint of animals and ecology; as composer of the hymn of praise Canticle of Creatures. Boff writes of Saint Francis, “Although he lived eight hundred years ago, he seems new. We feel old when we compare ourselves to him.” Yes! What is it about this statement that rings so true?
Saint Francis recognized all of creation and all creatures as sisters and brothers (sister water, brother sun, sister cricket, brother fire, sister Earth—our mother). Recognizing this kinship is both ancient and yet in some ways completely new, and I am thankful for Saint Francis and his way of seeing and singing the world.
This book Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor is part of the Ecology and Justice Series published by Orbis Books. Mary Evelyn Tucker and John A. Grim (our upcoming Spirituality in the 21st Century speakers April 30–May 1) are on the advisory board for this book series, and I find myself thinking about the newness and freshness of SP21C, the unfathomable ancientness of the Universe Story, and the sacredness of Prairiewoods as a present-day Franciscan eco-spirituality center where people can explore and nurture, discover and remember this kinship with creation and belonging with nature.
Have you ever walked the Cosmic Walk within the woods at Prairiewoods? It’s a way to experience and move along with the Universe Story by starting with the notion of the Great Flaring Forth around 15 billion years ago, and ending with the present day and the hope and invitation of Consciousness Changing. Boff writes in Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor that “a new paradigm is validated only when it becomes living truth in the live stories of those who begin to usher in a new consciousness and a new alternative practice, as happened with St. Francis.” Can we find the newness of Saint Francis and be inspired by his story? Can we recognize kinship with creation? Can we love sister Earth—our mother as she loves us? Can we start with this—with consciousness changing—and find our way forward?
I recently found a modern version of the Canticle of Creatures song to sing along with, which—like Saint Francis himself—“seems new” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VskkeyYEvbo).
—Angie Pierce Jennings, Prairiewoods hosted groups and hospitality coordinator