File:St Francis with the birds.jpg

Saint Francis ... Catholic patron saint of ecology and nature

Francis considered all nature as the mirror of God and as so many steps to God. He called all creatures his “brothers” and “sisters,” and, in the most endearing stories about him, preached to the birds.

For Catholics, Oct. 4 is widely recognized as the feast of St. Francis of Assisi.

Among the best-known and most venerated of the saints, Francis of Assisi has become synonymous in religion pop culture with brown habits, birdbaths and the blessing of animals on his feast day.

But beyond pets, Francis is also known as the patron saint of ecology.

What does that mean? Who made that decision? And why?

• https://www.ncronline.org/news/earthbeat/why-francis-assisi-patron-saint-ecology

In 1979, as a environmental movement became a global eco-ethics and call to action, Pope John Paul II proclaimed St. Francis of Assisi the patron of ecology. The pope spoke of the teachings of Francis being "an example of genuine and deep respect for the integrity of creation."

"St. Francis invited all creation — animals, plants, natural forces, even Brother Sun and Sister Moon — to give honor and praise to the Lord."

An ecology of environmental protection and care can be seen in St. Francis of Assisi addressing creatures as "sisters" and "brothers," a living earth to be protected and sustained, not as subjects to be cast aside, dominated and extinguished.

• https://www.earthday.org/patron-saint-animals-ecology/

• http://www.biography.com/people/st-francis-of-assisi-21152679

• http://www.thecatholictelegraph.com/pope-francis-explains-why-he-chose-st-francis-of-assisis-name/13243

ASSISI, Italy (AP) — October 2013 / Pope Francis told thousands of journalists (on March 16) that he took to heart the words of his friend and chose to be called after St. Francis of Assisi, “the man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who loves and protects creation.”

A Green Tip of the Hat to Pope Francis, the First Catholic Pontiff to Name Himself after St. Francis of Assisi

Pope Francis made a pilgrimage to the hillside Italian town of Assisi, following in the footsteps of his namesake, St. Francis, the 13th-century friar who renounced a wealthy, dissolute lifestyle to embrace a life of poverty and service to the poor.

According to tradition, St. Francis was famously told by God to "repair my house." In word and deed, the first pope to name himself after St. Francis, has made clear how he wants to follow that command.

Francis is trying to shape a church that is welcoming to all, but especially to the most marginalized, with a church hierarchy that is worthy of its 1.2 billion flock.

Visit Laudato Si

• https://www.greenpolicy360.net/w/Laudato_Si

• https://www.greenpolicy360.net/mw/images/Papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si_(1).pdf

• https://www.greenpolicy360.net/w/File:Laudato_Si_On_Care_for_Our_Common_Home.png

• https://www.greenpolicy360.net/w/File:St.FrancisPreachingtotheBirds_Giotto.jpg

• https://www.greenpolicy360.net/w/File:All_species_day_with_homo_sapien_in_Santa_Fe_.jpg

• https://www.greenpolicy360.net/w/File:From_Laudato_Si_protecting_diversity_of_life.jpg

• https://www.greenpolicy360.net/w/File:Viaggi-sanfrancesco-assisi.jpg

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