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By Mark Russoniello, Special Contributor
Spring is here! After a long, cold, snowy winter, the renewal of spring is particularly welcome. God’s good creation comes back to life in the change of seasons. Our Church mirrors the cycle of the earth, with penitential season of Lent giving way to the Light and glory of Jesus’ Resurrection on Easter.
Pope Leo XIV has declared 2026 as a year of remembrance for one of the Church’s most popular saints – Francis of Assisi. Even non-Catholics know that Francis is the patron saint of animals and nature. Eight hundred years ago, in 1226, St. Francis ended his earthly life and returned home to God. Pope Leo wants us to recall Francis’ influence during these 800 years on the Catholic approach to the environment. Francis rooted his love of creation in Jesus, who often used nature images his teaching: plants, seeds, farms, vineyards, sun, rain and snow.
In 2015, Pope Francis wrote a letter to the world, saying: “Saint Francis invites us to see nature as a magnificent book in which God speaks to us and grants us a glimpse of his infinite beauty and goodness.” The Church honors St. Francis on Oct. 4 while Sept. 1 is the day of prayer for the Care of Creation.
The social doctrine of the Catholic Church makes caring for our common home everyone’s responsibility, regardless of age. Here are a few simple ideas to help honor St. Francis this year and impact creation in a really Catholic way:
Plant a garden or a tree – Not only does planting foster and honor life, it adds beauty to the world and helps reduce air pollution. Plants and trees absorb the bad stuff in the air and generate clean oxygen for us to breathe. Plant a vegetable garden or offer to help at a local community garden. Does your parish have a community garden? If not, ask if you can start one. The produce from the garden can be donated to organizations that feed the hungry. Maybe find a local organization that is reforesting and volunteer to help plant trees.
Drive less, plan your trips and Slow Down! – One major causes of damage to the environment is driving a car. Whenever possible, try walking, riding a bike or taking public transportation to school, work, activities or to run errands. When you do have to drive, plan on taking the shortest route and making a complete circle instead of going back and forth. The faster we drive the more oil and gas we use. Driving at or just below the speed limit will reduce the amount of fuel we consume – and it is safer for everyone!
Reduce consumption and waste – Pope Francis often talked about our “culture of waste.” He said: “Let us remember well that whenever food is thrown out it is as if it were stolen from the table of the poor, from the hungry! I ask everyone to reflect on the problem of the loss and waste of food.” When we go to the store, let’s think about what we need, not what we want. Buy less- waste less.
Use less water – One in four people in the world do not have access to safe, clean drinking water. It means that in a family of four, one of them would have to drink water that is filled with dirt and disease! We can help by taking shorter showers (or shower instead of a bath), making sure our taps are completely off and do not drip, using a lower water setting for laundry. We can also financially support organizations that help dig wells in parts of the world without clean water.
Think organic/act organic – Become more aware of the amount of chemicals and dyes in your food, clothing, soaps, etc. Shopping organic may be more expensive, but it definitely reduces pollution and disease-causing impurities in our air, water and soil.
Pray! – It is said that prayer does not change God. It changes us. Pray for a change of heart in all people to do better in creating a cleaner, safer planet. Maybe add this prayer honoring creation, written by St. Francis himself, to your daily routine: https://franciscanfriarscresson.org/the-canticle-of-the-sun/
St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us.
Mark Russoniello is parish catechetical leader in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold.
Faith at Home is a monthly column coordinated by the Diocese of Trenton’s Departments of Catechesis, evangelization and Family Life, and Youth and Young Adult Ministry. For additional Faith at Home resources, visit dioceseoftrenton.org/faith-at-home.