Seniors for Climate Action & St. Francis

 Most high, all powerful, all good Lord! All praise is yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing. To you, alone, Most High, do they belong. No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your name.

Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures, especially through my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day; and you give light through him. And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor! Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.

Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars; in the heavens you have made them, precious and beautiful.

Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air, and clouds and storms, and all the weather, through which you give your creatures sustenance.

Be praised, My Lord, through Sister Water; she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.

Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you brighten the night. He is beautiful and cheerful, and powerful and strong.

Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth, who feeds us and rules us, and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.

Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of you; through those who endure sickness and trial. Happy those who endure in peace, for by you, Most High, they will be crowned.

Be praised, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whose embrace no living person can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Happy those she finds doing your most holy will. The second death can do no harm to them.

Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks, and serve him with great humility.

Canticle of the Sun -- attributed to St. Francis of Assisi 

Allie Rougeot

@AlienorR2

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16h

“Seniors, this is the most important time of our lives. We aren’t waiting for a raise or a promotion. We have nothing to fear. We have to stand up and fight!” - David Suzuki, live from downtown Toronto

 Today is the Feast of Francis in the Christian calendar, a liturgical homage to the 12th century ascetic monk who is the Roman Catholic patron saint of animals and ecology. The current pope is the only one to ever choose Francis for his name  (21 called John through the centuries), a recognition of his namesake's radical simplicity and care for God's creatures. Francis the monk died in his late thirties while Pope Francis is 87, well past what most would consider the "best before date" for an environmental activist. 

I believe that we can be passionate about the Earth and "live with respect in Creation" no matter what our age. It may be that as we age we have the time and the freedom to be both more aware and active as advocates for Turtle Island, as the planet is termed in some Indigenous cultures. I've certainly noticed that many of the participants in environmental events we've attended are getting up in age, as we are!

I wasn't aware until after the fact that this past Tuesday was National Seniors Day, nor had I ever heard that there is a group called Seniors for Climate Action Now. They held rallies for climate action across Ontario on October 1st, among 75 in total across the country. David Suzuki, 88, one of Canada's most outspoken oldtimers, encouraged seniors to become engaged when he spoke at what appears to be a church. 

We are also never too old to appreciate the natural world or Creation for its own sake. This morning the two 70-year-olds of our household canoed on a local river. We saw blue herons and kingfishers and glided wondrously close to a green heron. Delighting in the goodness and diversity of Creation is a form of praise and prayer. I'm convinced that St. Francis would approve.