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Ecospirituality: Biodynamics grows from historic roots

by Anita Beskar, FSPA

"Franciscan spirituality's most precious gift to humanity may be its dimension of adoration, gratitude and praise and its joyful acceptance of goodness," This reflection of Josef Raischl in The Journey into God; A Forty Day Retreat with Bonaventure, Francis and Clare rings in my heart as we begin the harvest at the Villa St. Joseph garden. Energetic plants, rooted in organic sustenance, are beginning to produce abundance. Memories of postulant days, when we weeded and harvested large gardens, come alive as much more creaky knees touch the earth and propel us through rows of raspberries, asparagus, strawberries, beans, onions, broccoli, cabbage and tomatoes.

The Ecospirituality Committee, in collaboration with Pat Slattery, an organic gardener from the area, has initiated retrieving a tiny fraction of our land heritage at Villa St. Joseph. The plot, near the shed at the Villa, had been a garden over many years. With Pat's assistance, the ground is being enriched with organic fertilizers to foster care for the earth. Long rows of asparagus and raspberries, enriched with compost from the pile below the hill, are emerging as promise to future seasons. Volunteer sunflowers grace the boundaries of the garden and continue to brighten the halls of the Villa. Maturing plants promise a rich harvest as the autumn continues to unfold.

A sunflower on display at Villa St. Joseph

Bonaventure's image of God as an overflowing fountain of goodness speaks to the bounty of the harvest. The mystery of the small seed dying to produce much fruit gives witness to hope in our world of an end to violence and war. Our dependence on

the rhythms of nature to water and sustain earth in its rich abundance reminds us of our vulnerability in the matrix of creation. As we participate in the unfolding mystery

of the universe story, we commit ourselves to explore and implement healthy practices that honor the rhythms of Mother Earth as she blesses us with her abundance. And we celebrate with all Franciscans the

goodness of God, as Francis proclaimed in his Earlier Rule:
. . .let us all love the Lord God . . .
Who did and does everything good for us . . . .
The only true God,
Who is the fullness of good,
All good, every good, the true and supreme good
Who alone is good,
Merciful, gentle, delectable and
sweet . . . .

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