Integral Ecology Week: 16-24 May

Integral ecology runs through “ Laudato Si!—On Care for Our Common Home.” Pope Francis invites everyone to revisit and celebrate his 2015 encyclical for the sake of our planet, its biodiversity and its cultures. Thinking Faith posted an anniversary alert with some anniversary resources.

In our latest alert: Pope Francis invites us to use Laudato si' week (16-24 May) to build a better world together. Plus: International Day of Families; and Emily Dickinson. https://t.co/YSmhfTRNVy

— Thinking Faith (@ThinkingFaith) May 15, 2020

Comfort in Assisi

Pope Francis is like St. Francis. The saint had great concern for the weak and the sick, those forced to the margins of life in any way. So does the Pope. He arrived in Assisi this morning and visited the

Serafico Institute of Assisi, [home to] children and young people with disabilities and their caregivers. The Pope approached each of the residents and held their hands, caressed their faces, signed the Cross on their foreheads and often kissed them on the cheek. One of the residents also kissed the Pope’s pectoral cross [at 37:30 on video].

View the video [click back to 7:25 a.m. for it] to see how comfortable the Pope is. Being comfor-table with others, especially those who are different and cannot communicate the same way, appears Christian and Franciscan. Francis has made it papal as well.

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Wiki-image of view of Assisi public domain.

Prescient Post?

St. Ignatius of Loyola admired St. Francis of Assisi. On Ignatius’ feast in 2009 ThinkingFaith posted an adaptation of an earlier essay by Brian Purfield. He explored “the spiritual experiences of the founder of the Society of Jesus with those of Francis of Assisi.”

With a Jesuit Francis as pastor of the Catholic Church his essay seems more than farsighted. On the eve of the Memorial of St. Francis of Assisi ThinkingFaith reposted it.

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Wiki-image by Pere López of statue of St. Ignatius of Loyola CC BY-SA 3.0.

Franciscan and Ignatian Discomforts

Shortly after his election Pope Francis told assembled media personnel that to be true the church ought to be “poor and for the poor.” Days before the pope stated his desire, he had signaled his humility. Jesuit James Hanvey considered “how Francis of Assisi and Ignatius of Loyola [might] inform this papacy and what resources...they offer” the Jesuit who has taken the Poverello’s name. Fr. Hanvey identified “three particular influences.”

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Wiki-image by Jim McIntosh of praise of creatures CC BY 2.0.

Comparing Ignatius and Francis

In the Christian tradition discipleship is characterized by calls: to conversion; to follow Jesus and live the gospel life; and to abide with Jesus in all circumstances.

Brian Purfield considered the spiritual experiences of the founder of the Society of Jesus and those of Francis of Assisi. He sought to answer a question: “What similarities are there to be found between the Spiritual Exercises [of St. Ignatius of Loyola] and Bonaventure’s recollection of the life of St Francis?” Join his exploration at ThinkingFaith.

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Wiki-image by Georges Jansoone of birthplace of St. Francis used by CC BY-SA 3.0.