Every year, the month of September is dedicated to the “Season of Creation.” It is an ecumenical period that unites Christians around the world in prayer, celebration, and action in defense of our Common Home. On September 20, 2025, in keeping with this special period, the friars in charge of vocation animation for the Province of St. Francis of Assisi in Brazil, namely, Friars Flávio Martins VENÂNCIO and Gustavo Jonas ROCHA DE MEDEIROS, launched the first Trilha Franciscana Ecológica (Franciscan Ecological Trail) with young people from the Exaltação da Santa Cruz Parish Church in Ubatuba, São Paulo State, Brazil. The church is served by the Conventual Franciscan friars who reside in the nearby friary of the same name.
Thirty-two young people and three tour guides participated in this event, which took place on the well-known “Community Trail that Connects the Communities of the Seven Beaches.” The group began the hike with a reflection led by Friar Flávio. He compared the hike to the journey of life, emphasizing the importance of perseverance in the face of challenges and discouragement, and highlighting the role of young people as “pilgrims of hope.”
During the hike, the participants had the opportunity to learn about the rich biodiversity of the area, observing species from the Mata Atlântica (Atlantic Forest) a coastal tropical rainforest rich in biodiversity, such as jequitibá trees (typical of the Mata Atlântica), embaúba (cecropia) and juçara palm (açaí palm), as well as bromeliads, orchids, and animals such as capuchin monkeys, blue butterflies, squirrels, and coatis.
Midway through the hike, the friars talked about the meaning of the Canticle of the Creatures, which the group recited, reinforcing Pope Francis’ call to care for creation, as emphasized in his encyclical, Laudato Si’ and his apostolic exhortation, Laudate Deum.
The hike lasted around three and a half hours and covered approximately seven kilometers (four miles). At the end, the young people visited the local Caiçara community (descendants of indigenous, African, and Portuguese peoples. While there, they prayed in the São Sebastião Chapel, reciting the “Vocational Path Rosary” with mysteries linked to their vocation and faith journey.
As a concrete gesture of environmental commitment, inspired by Laudato Si’, the participants collected trash along the trail, demonstrating care and respect for our Common Home. This was the first Franciscan Ecological Trail ever conducted. Given the enthusiastic participation in the hike, and the initiative’s positive impact, a second Franciscan Ecological Trail is already planned for next year.
Friar Gustavo Jonas ROCHA DE MEDEIROS
