Integral Ecology

Franciscan tradition of care for creation

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'

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.

“The goals include a response to Cry of the Earth, response to Cry of the Poor, Ecological Economics, Adoption of Simple Lifestyles, Ecological Education, Ecological Spirituality and an emphasis on Community Engagement and Participatory Action,” explains Beth Piggush, integral ecology director for FSPA who serves as the Laudato Si’ promoter. “Our call is to view our actions through a Laudato Si’ lens and step up efforts to care for creation and promote an environmentally sustainable lifestyle.”

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• FSPA Land on St. Joseph Ridge

  FSPA land on St. Joseph Ridge, just outside of La Crosse, serves as an educational model in the community. As future stewards of the earth, local students and volunteers help to work the garden. FSPA's agricultural internship program bolsters the students' undergraduate studies for biology and sustainable management majors as well.
  
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• Resources and Events

  We've compiled a list of resources and events, including our 2021 FSPA Ecospirituality in Action Lunch & Learn series, that we hope you'll use as you explore your eco journey. And, we're working to build this list to include resources for schools and more.
  
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