Dear Moon,
I know you are there
every night.
Starting in the East and ending in the West.
You light up my bedroom
and are accompanied by stars.
full of beauty and blessings.
I stand in my huge window
and converse with you, God.
I’ve never had such a beautiful gift before.
Just for me and all who look up.
~ Laurena Alflen OP
Creation Canticles: Reflections on the Natural World
Pope Francis began the encyclical, “Laudato Si’ On Care for Our Common Home” describing the human relationship with the earth through images from the hymn “Canticle of the Creatures” by St. Francis of Assisi.
In this hymn, St. Francis invites all his brother and sister creatures—whether minerals, plants or animals—to praise their Creator.
“Our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us. Praise be to you, my Lord through our Sister Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and produces various fruit with colored flowers and herbs.” ~ Pope Francis, 1 Laudato Si’ Encyclical
This reference to the Canticles inspires us to eco-spirituality — a manifestation of the spiritual connection between human beings and the environment.
As we seek transformative eco-spiritual experiences, Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters and Associates began writing poems and reflections. “We start from the witness that ecological spirituality involves a firm inner conviction that God is the source of all creation which is held together by God’s love,” says Sister Mary Ann Barrett OP.
We hope others will enjoy these inspirational messages.