Welcome to Praying Nature!

A resource for people & communities

whose lives are inspired by

St. Francis' brotherly love for God's creation

 

"All you creatures, bless the Lord" - St. Francis

'Praying Nature' is inspired by the life and spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi who believed that flowers, animals, birds and all created beings praise and glorify God just by being themselves! Recognising that all creatures come from the same primordial source who is God our Father and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Francis related to all creation including Christ as brothers and sisters of the one universal family. Our shared Creator according to Francis is our Father who loves and cares for creation, for each one of us beyond our wildest dreams! No wonder St. Francis is known as a Peacemaker and Patron of Ecologists!

"All you birds of heaven, bless the Lord" - St. Francis 

 

A Franciscan Eco-Network

The word 'eco' comes from the Greek word, 'oikos' meaning 'house', and is found in the words ecology, economy and ecumenism. An eco-network therefore could refer to a network of 'houses' or communities where ecology, economy and ecumenism (and interfaith co-operation) interact in a way that is beneficial to both people & place, to other creatures, to water and plants, and to the earth itself. Franciscans strive to live the holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ like St. Francis of Assisi, and so the Franciscan eco-network could be one such community network conforming to the life of God - Father, Son & Holy Spirit - and respecting & enjoying God's creation as St. Francis did.

 

"... Holy and just Father,

Lord King of heaven and earth,

we thank You for Yourself for through Your holy will

and through Your only Son with the Holy Spirit

You have created everything ..."

- St. Francis

 

'Praying Nature' for a Franciscan Eco-Network

'Praying Nature' presents St. Francis' reverential and caring attitude towards all creation especially Nature. Following his example, we pray that people everywhere will adopt a compassionate & caring attitude toward Nature by the way they live. As a supportive framework, 'Praying Nature' proposes the development of a community-led Franciscan eco-network traversing Ireland and beyond looking to the old Franciscan houses (friaries) of Ireland to be reminded of St. Francis in our  midst - a Franciscan presence inspiring our responses to issues such as climate change and loss of biodiversity as well as peace among peoples and justice for the poor. Inspired by St. Francis, ecological & environmental problems offer an opportunity to cooperate in a spirit of peace and brother/sisterhood towards a common good where everyone, today and in the future, has enough to live. It is an opportunity to build a community of all God's creation!

 

 Restoring Brother & Sister Relationship

Franciscans promote the belief that all created reality having its origin in God shares a brother/sister relationship. Regretably Nature is being threatened from all sides today, but believing that each and every creature reveals God's love in its own unique way, we'd like that due reverence be shown to Nature in such a way that it be restored completely to its condition of brother/sister.

 

 Nature Helped Francis Hear God

While still a young man, Francis began to feel God prompting him to question the direction of his life. Searching for inner peace, Francis visited abandoned churches and lonely places like those in the Franciscan Eco-Network to pray for God's guidance. Surrounded by wild flowers, tumbled down walls, and bird song, Francis found the solitude he needed to hear his deepest yearnings - God speaking to him. Eventually, Francis found his true meaning and identity in God the Father, in Jesus Christ his Son, in the Holy Spirit, and in the whole of creation in which he recognised God's overflowing love.

"All you rivers, bless the Lord" - St. Francis 

 

A Prayer Space

A special prayer space for searchers like Francis to pray or ponder the meaning of your lives is provided (downpage) on each of the places presented in the Franciscan Eco-Network section. We hope our website overall can be an aid to prayer & contemplation and a way to more fully appreciate Nature's role in revealing the presence of God in the world, drawing us into His mystery through its goodness, beauty, peace, and diversity.

"May the Lord give you Peace!" - St. Francis

 

A Franciscan Presentation

'Praying Nature' is brought to you by the Irish Franciscan Order of Friars Minor. As Franciscan friars, we hope & pray that all come to see care for creation as integral to Christian faith. We hope you find you can pray with the natural beauty in the places presented in the 'Franciscan Eco-Network' or wherever you are, since all creation is a place of encounter with the Lord. Finally, we hope you enjoy our presentation.

 "Peace and all Good" - a traditional Franciscan blessing

 

Your brothers,

Br. Cathal & the friars of the Irish Province.

Email: br.cathal@praying-nature.com