In this Jubilee Year dedicated to St. Francis, Franciscans and communities across Poland, inspired by St Francis’ spirituality, are inviting participants to join a national project entitled “800 Trees for the 800th Anniversary of the ‘Birth into Heaven’ of St. Francis of Assisi.”
The project marks the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis, which falls in 2026. St. Francis consistently called for care for creation throughout his life and teaching. As a concrete expression of this message, the initiative calls for the planting of 800 Jubilee trees across Poland. The St. Francis of Assisi Environmental Movement (REFA: Ruch Ekologiczny św. Franciszka z Asyżu) proposed the project as part of the Franciscan Jubilee celebrations.
The project has received support from Franciscans in ten religious Provinces in Poland. During the Year of St. Francis, other institutions and organizations in Poland have also joined the group of partners. The Zakłady Kórnickie Foundation, which has run the “Francis Tree” program for many years, promotes daily environmental action and participation in the “800 Changes” initiative. Participants can receive tree seedlings and help create a symbolic, living monument to the Jubilee Year.
Important initiatives are also planned in the Diocese of Kalisz in Poland. The television station “House of St. Joseph,” together with the diocesan Laudato si’ Pastoral Care Coordinator and foresters from the “Rychtal Forests” Promotional Forestry Complex (Antonin and Syców Forestry Districts), is preparing tree-planting campaigns in local parishes. The preferred species will be the Polish linden, which will serve as a lasting sign of gratitude for God’s creation and an expression of care for future generations.
The recently established REFA club in Zielona Góra, Poland, is also participating in this initiative. In cooperation with the local forestry administration, it plans an autumn planting of oak trees grown from seeds of the historic trees known as “Chrobry” and “Napoleon.”
The culmination of all activities will take place during the celebrations of the feast of St. Francis on October 4. Key moments of mobilization will include the “Season of Creation” in September and the “St. Francis Week” in October.
The organizers stress that trees play a vital role in environmental protection. They retain water, prevent soil erosion, improve air quality, and reduce urban heat. Caring for them means investing in the future of future generations.
The project draws inspiration from the mindset of St. Francis, who eight centuries ago taught respect for the created world. According to Thomas of Celano, St. Francis forbade the cutting down of entire trees, protected wilderness, and encouraged the creation of places rich in flowers and aromatic herbs that reflected the beauty of God’s creation.
Friar Stanisław JAROMI, President of the St. Francis of Assis Environmental Movement, stated: “The initiative has not only an ecological dimension but also a spiritual and educational one. Its goal is to promote responsibility toward the environment, support the protection of life, and rediscover Franciscan fraternity with all creatures.”