Chasing Francis: A Pilgrim's Tale

This book has finally arrived!! I have devoured the book in two days!! WOW! Read my previous intro of this book here. A short intro from Amazon is here.

Chase Falson has lost his faith-and he did it right in front of the congregation at his megachurch. Now the elders want him to take some time away: far away. So Chase crosses the Atlantic to visit his uncle, a Franciscan priest, where he encounters the teachings of Francis of Assisi and rediscovers his ancient faith. Follow Chase's spiritual journey in the footsteps of Francis, and then begin one of your own through the pilgrim's guide included in this book. Come discover Francis, the first postmodern Christian.

There are some amazing similarities with the period St. Francis lived and the postmodern world. Yeah! One thing in particular is Christianity is losing its control in the world, and St. Francis helped rebuilding the church by becoming a fool, following the footsteps of Jesus.



Because today is Blog Action Day, I have chosen to post some of the ways St. Francis helped in pioneering environmental protection.

From Ecology: St Francis and the Environment

It's not remarkable that St. Francis would move small worms to the side of the path, even though Thomas of Solano, historian and companion, mentions it in his writings. What is remarkable is how much we make reference to that today as something extraordinary. I think St. Francis would find it remarkable that we do, as well. It's an indicator of how far removed.. .how much we've become separated from our brothers and sisters of creation. To care for the worm lest it becomes trampled is a neighborly act, and not necessarily uncommon to caring people today. St. Francis cared for even the tiniest of creatures, not only because he came to know them as neighbors, but he recognized each one as "an imprint of the Most High." If we came to know, love, and care for God's creatures as St. Francis did, the birds would flock to us as well. Stake your life on nature, and she'll stake her life on you. We do live in the Kingdom, if only we could see beyond the shallow facade of materialism to find value as St. Francis found value.

Another link:
St. Francis of Assisi: Why He's the Patron of Ecology

Christianity is doing a really bad job in helping the environment. (Which country is producing the most greenhouse gases in the world??) We can all learn from St. Francis on how to love God and love the world God has created.

I'll write more on other aspects of St. Francis later.

Canticle of the Creatures

All praise be yours, My Lord,
through all that you have made.
And first my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day....

How beautiful is he, how radiant in all his splendor!
Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Moon and Stars;
In the heavens you have made them, bright and precious and fair.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air....

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Water,
So useful, lowly, precious and pure.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Brother Fire,
through whom you brighten up the night....

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Earth, our mother,
Who feeds us...and produces various fruits
With colored flowers and herbs....

Praise and bless my Lord, and give him thanks,
And serve him with great humility.

—St. Francis of Assisi: Writings and Early Biographies,
edited by Marion A. Habig, 1973 by Franciscan Herald Press


Check out my other blog for another environmentally related post.