Pope Francis
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Prayer for Earth
April 18, 2024
Prayer for Earth All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures. You embrace with your tenderness all that exists. Pour out upon us the power of your love, that we may protect life and beauty. Fill us with peace, that we may live as brothers and sisters, […]
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theWord OP — Rebuild My House — Synod Opens Today
October 4, 2023
Rebuild My House In today’s first reading, we hear of Nehemiah’s deep sadness at the destruction of his homeland during the Babylonian exile. He pleaded with King Artaxerxes, whom he served, to return to Judah in order to rebuild it. Permission granted, he not only rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem but also tended to moral […]
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Creation Canticle ~ An August Walk
August 18, 2023
An August Walk It was a beautiful sunny day. I walked out the front door of Marywood. Looking up at the bright blue sky, I heard a choir of cheerful sparrows greeting me. Beautiful flowers were growing along the sidewalk. When the sidewalk ended, I stepped on the tar road Walking along under the shade […]
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Creation Canticle ~ Love that Splashes
July 7, 2023
Love that Splashes The ocean waves splash against a rock And the stiff rock remains lifeless. You have splashed me with Your Love. I don’t want to be like the lifeless rock. I want to be changed like the spreading sand That is moved with the waves. I want to be like the sand, God. […]
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Creation Canticle ~ Affinity
May 19, 2023
Affinity Feathers, fur, hooves and spurs, paws, petals, ponds and fins We are all in… Beautiful dance Sway in the breeze Chirp in the trees When we are in sync the way we were meant to be Together connected Since the days of creation When God Said it was good! Entrusted to care For Water, […]
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Creation Canticle ~ Bear Heart’s Prayer of Praise, Lamentation, and Hope
April 24, 2023
Bear Heart’s Prayer of Praise, Lamentation, and Hope Majestic Forest, Peace, Tranquility and Beauty Diversity and Oneness; We all belong We call this Mountain our Land, our Home We praise and thank you, Creator God. Timber, Timber, Timber, they shout Profit, Profit, Profit, all is free Greed, Greed, Greed, take all, no one is responsible […]
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Creation Canticle ~ Cold Sunshine
April 17, 2023
Cold sunshine Be patient, trust Winds whip chilling arms Where, O where is Spring. Snowdrops White against white Life bursting through crusty covers Yearning for sun’s comfort Primrose Explode; Crimson, yellow, violet Brilliant amidst the melting snow. O Spring! ~ Sister Paula Mierle SJ Creation Canticles: Reflections on the Natural World Pope Francis […]
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Creation Canticle ~ Wisdom of the Ages
April 14, 2023
Wisdom of the Ages Owl in the tree This is what I see. Scared bird – going extinct. Nocturnal prey, I say. Feathers for silent flight Able to see in the night. Hooked beak feeding her young A song of hoots to be sung What if I look in the tree And no owls do […]
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Creation Canticle – Dear Moon
April 11, 2023
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 […]
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Creation Canticles – Reflections on the Natural World
April 3, 2023
Introducing the Creation Canticles 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 […]