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Pope Francis waving with quote about caring for nature

Integral Ecology

Franciscan Tradition of Care for Creation

St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of ecology, lived his life according to the Gospel and in part to be a steward, an advocate, for the heavens and Earth as they reflect God's love among us.

He gave thanks for Brother Sun, Sister Moon, Brothers Wind and Air, Brother Fire and Sister Mother Earth in his prayer Canticle of the Creatures: "All praise be yours, my Lord, through all you have made."

FSPA invites others to experience God's presence in nature. Using our land resources to model sustainability practices and spirituality for others is a very significant way of continuing FSPA's long-standing tradition of education ministry. We celebrate God's presence in all of creation through political involvement, social change, sustainability and healthy lifestyles.

Environmental Responsibility & Laudato Si'

Laudato Si' goals graphic

Pope Francis released his Laudato Si' encyclical in 2015, an urgent call to ecological sustainability. And in 2021, he invited all of us to take significant action. Building on our Franciscan legacy of caring for creation, FSPA accepted Pope Francis' invitation and committed to the seven-year journey for the greater good known as the Laudato Si' Action Platform.

"We need a new ecological approach that can transform our way of dwelling in the world, our styles of life, our relationship with the resources of the Earth and, in general, our way of looking at humanity and of living life," Pope Francis said in a video message in May of 2021. And we promise to make our voices heard whenever opportunities arise.

Laudato Si' Action Platform Seven-Year Commitment

We are a community of vowed Franciscan women centered in Eucharist, committed to loving presence through prayer, witness and service. We commit ourselves to the seven-year Laudato Si' Action Platform journey to intensify actions for greater social and environmental justice.

- We recognize that everything is a gift from God, and thus we embrace our dependence on all creation.
- We commit to the preferential option for the cosmic common good.
- We strive for spiritual growth, simplicity, intentionality, stewardship and justice in our living and decision making.
- We nurture our cosmic awareness, the call to develop mutual relationships with all creation and practice regeneration and sustainability of Earth.
- We educate, advocate and act for the healing and care of all.

Building on our Franciscan legacy of caring for creation, we promise to make our voices heard whenever opportunities arise. We invite you, and will make efforts to encourage others, to join us in prayer, witness and service, to promote systemic change.

greenhouse on fspa land on st joseph ridge

 

FSPA Land on St. Joseph Ridge

FSPA land on St. Joseph Ridge (W2658 WI-33, La Crosse, WI 54601), serves as an educational model in the community. As future stewards of the earth, local students and volunteers help work the garden.

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overlook on fspa land on st joseph ridge

 

Resources

We've compiled a list of Integral Ecology-related resources, including an episode from our FSPA Ecospirituality in Action Lunch & Learn series, that we hope you'll use as you explore your eco journey.

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