Recently, a three-day event took place in Kalwaria Pacławska, Poland, in the Eastern Carpathian Mountains, to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the composition of the Canticle of the Creatures by St. Francis of Assisi. The event concluded on Sunday, May 25, 2025. The event brought together the Superiors of the ten Franciscan Provinces in Poland, the Superiors from the Franciscan Jurisdictions in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and many friars. Together, they issued a commemorative message for the occasion.
In the message, the friars publicly asked the founder, St. Francis, to help them constantly see the Creator’s work in each other and, together with all of nature, give Him glory. They asked Francis to help them restore the imbalance in the world they live in; to grant them eyes enlightened by the heart so that they may perceive God’s presence in every creature, without falling into the temptation of deifying nature.
Here is an excerpt from the message:
“Show us ways out of the social, ecological and economic crises of our society. Help us to love the world as You love it and show us how to be sensitive to its beauty and diversity. Give us the courage to recognize that we are not the masters of creation, but its sisters and brothers. We are not called to disturb the harmony of nature, but to care for it. Help us to increase love and respect for the earth. Inspire us to be humble and steadfast people in rebuilding the Church, concerned for the welfare of the poor and the least, desiring more to ‘be’ than to ‘have.’ Give us the strength to help rebuild the world, which in so many places is in need of healing and renewal.”
Over the three-day event, the friars praised the Creator using the words of St. Francis and thanked God for the sun, moon, stars, wind, air, clouds, weather, water, fire, earth, fruits with flowers and colorful herbs; They addressed those who forgive, those who endure weakness, persecution and face physical death, inviting them to pray together.
The friars also thanked God for the work of creation and redemption during the daily Masses celebrated by the Ministers Provincial and the bishops of the Franciscan Orders. Homilies were delivered by the President of the Foederatio Europae Mediae et Orientalis (FEMO), Friar Wojciech KULIG from Gdańsk, Poland; the Most Reverend Damian MUSKUS, OFM, Auxiliary Bishop of Cracow, Poland; and the Most Reverend Piotr KLESZCZ, OFM Conv., Auxiliary Bishop of Łódź, Poland.
During the event, nearly two hundred friars explored Christian initiatives focused on ecology and environmental and climate protection. They examined the relevance of St. Francis’ message—whom St. Pope John Paul II declared the Patron Saint of Ecologists. They also learned about the natural, climatic, and touristic offerings of Kalwaria Pacławska and its surroundings.
A number of guest speakers provided additional insights on these topics, namely: Professor Zbigniew WRÓBLEWSKI, the Director of the Department of Philosophy of Nature and Natural Sciences at the Faculty of Philosophy, Catholic University of Lublin [Poland]; Friar Stanisław JAROMI, a philosopher, an ecologist, and the author and editor of several publications on these topics; Bishop Damian MUSKUS, a social media preacher, a publicist, and a former university lecturer; Agata CHMURA, an educator at the Natura 2000 Promotion Center in Myczkowce, Poland; and Grzegorz HOP, a forest ranger, a certified guide, and an expert in education, tourism, and recreation.
The participants in the anniversary event also attended the presentation of a new book entitled: “A Time of Gratitude. Caring for the World – Our Common Home: A Guide for the Franciscan 800th Anniversary of St. Francis’ Canticle of the Creatures (1225-2025).”
To mark the 800th anniversary of the composition of the Canticle of the Creatures, members of the Ant Theater of the Franciscan Academic Ministry in Cracow staged a special performance for the friars in Kalwaria Pacławska.
Friar Jan M. SZEWEK
