On 23–25 May 2025, the friars of the Franciscan families gathered at Kalwaria Pacławska (Poland) to mark the 800th anniversary of the “Canticle of the Creation”. Through prayer, liturgy and an ecological conference, they celebrated the enduring message of St. Francis and issued a powerful call to protect creation, restore balance and live the Gospel with humility and joy.
From 23 to 25 May 2025 more than 200 friars explored the actuality of the message of St. Francis, whom St. John Paul II proclaimed the patron saint of ecologists, and the message of the Canticle of the Creatures on the anniversary of its composition (1225–2025). The participants praised the Creator using the words of St. Francis’ hymn and thanked God for all the creatures. They also learned about the natural, climatic and touristic qualities of Kalwaria Pacławska (Poland) and the surrounding area.
Each day of the celebration, the friars participated in Masses celebrated by the provincial ministers and bishops of the Franciscan orders. The homilies were given by the President of the Foederatio Europae Mediae et Orientalis (FEMO), Wojciech Kulig, OFM Conv, from Gdańsk, the Auxiliary Bishop of Kraków, Damian Muskus OFM, and the Auxiliary Bishop of Lódź, Piotr Kleszcz, OFM Conv.
During the jubilee celebrations, participants explored Christian initiatives focused on ecology and the protection of the environment and climate during a conference on the relevance of the Franciscan message in the modern world on the 10th anniversary of the encyclical Laudato si' (24 May).
Invited speakers included: Prof. Zbigniew Wróblewski, Head of the Department of Philosophy of Nature and Natural Sciences at the Faculty of Philosophy of the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin; Stanisław Jaromi, OFM Conv, philosopher and ecologist, author and editor of several publications; Bishop Damian Muskus, OFM, academic lecturer and custodian of the sanctuary in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska; Agata Chmura, educator at the Natura 2000 Promotion Centre in Myczkowce; and Grzegorz Hop, forester, certified guide, expert in education, tourism and recreation.
At the end of the conference, there was a presentation of a book entitled: A Time of Gratitude. On care for the world – our common home. A guide for the Franciscan Jubilee of 800 years of the Canticle of the Sun of St. Francis – a publication prepared by the St. Francis of Assisi Environmental Movement (REFA) for the Franciscan Jubilee.
To conclude the celebrations of the 800th anniversary of the Canticle of the Creatures, the friars of the 10 Polish Franciscan provinces and the Czech and Slovak jurisdictions prepared a special message. It was read by the main coordinator of the whole meeting, Fr. Stanislaw Jaromi.
We publish its full content:
We, the sons of St. Francis of Assisi, belonging to the 10 Franciscan Provinces of Poland, gathered in Kalwaria Pacławska on 23–25 May 2025 for the central jubilee celebration on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the Canticle of the Creatures, tried to learn as much as possible about the actuality of the message of St. Francis as its author, now also venerated as Saint Patron of Ecologists thanks to the decision of St. John Paul II. Recalling the updating of the Franciscan message on the 10th anniversary of the encyclical Laudato si', we learned about Christian activities for ecology, the protection of creation and the climate. We prayed every day, praising God for a wonderful world and asking for the gift of peace, reconciliation and mercy for us, our communities and the world at large.
From the hill of Calvary, from the shrine of Our Lady of Listening and hearing to the concerns of us pilgrims of hope, we call out together:
Help us, St. Brother Francis, to restore the shattered balance of the world in which we live. Teach us to bring peace where we are.
Show us ways out of the social, ecological, economic crises of our human societies.
Help us to love the world as you have loved it, and show us how not to be afraid to be sensitive to its beauty and diversity.
Give us the courage to acknowledge that we are not the lords of creation, that we are its sisters and brothers, called not to disturb the harmony of nature, but to care for it and look after it. To collectively make the Earth more loved and respected.
Inspire us to be people of humility but perservance in rebuilding the Church, concerned for the welfare of the least and the poor, desiring more to be than to have. Give us the strength to also help rebuild the world, which in so many places needs healing and renewal.
Show us your footsteps in which we want to follow you in joy, poverty and simplicity of life. Teach us how to be a living Gospel. Teach us to respond daily to your call: “Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks / And serve Him / With great humility”.REFA