Together on the Journey: A Weekly Word from Archbishop Hebda
At the beginning of this year, Pope Leo announced that 2026 would be a special Jubilee Year in commemoration of the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi. It would be hard not to be inspired by that great saint. Even so many centuries after his death, he continues to capture the Catholic imagination. He is particularly beloved by young people the world over. I’ve been frequently reminded of the sway he holds now that we’re in the midst of the Confirmation season, with so many of our young people taking the name “Francis.” While pet lovers and budding veterinarians are attracted to him because of his care for animals, many others admire his overall respect for creation, his commitment to poverty, and his pursuit of peace.
I was blessed when growing up to come to know the Capuchin Franciscans. It was common for the friars to stay in a house in our neighborhood when they were coming back from their mission in Papua New Guinea. I think that they were the first to plant the idea of a vocation in my brain—they ran a great program for young boys and would host us at their seminary every summer for a retreat (my first experience). I think that I would have become a Franciscan were it not for the fact that at my size I would have looked like the iconic Friar Tuck cookie jar if I ever took the Franciscan habit.
Anyone who has been studying the history of our Archdiocese in this 175th anniversary year already knows that this local Church has benefited from zealous sons and daughters of St. Francis. As I drove through Shakopee this morning, I found myself particularly grateful for the tenacity and vision of the Franciscan sisters who established what is now known as the St. Francis Regional Medical Center. We continue to be blessed, moreover, by the ministry and presence in our Archdiocese of the Conventual Franciscans, the Franciscan Clarist Sisters, and the Franciscan Brothers of Peace. I’m also very grateful that we have a good number of Third Order Franciscans enlivening our parishes and Catholic institutions as well.
The witness of St. Francis clearly continues to have relevance in our world. As I read about the turmoil in these days in the Middle East, I’m mindful of St. Francis’ bold efforts to bring peace to that region way back in the 13th century. You might remember that he traveled on foot at the height of the Crusades all the way to the court of the Sultan, hoping to end the conflict by sharing with him the good news of the Gospel. Francis’ famous greeting, Pax et Bonum (Peace and Goodness!), needs to resonate in our hearts and homes today as well.
Pope Leo has recently highlighted the multidimensional significance of St. Francis’ commitment to peace: “The Franciscan vision of peace is not limited to the relations between human beings, but also embraces the whole of creation. Francis, who calls the sun ‘brother’ and the moon “sister,” who recognizes in every creature a reflection of divine beauty, reminds us that peace must be extended to the entire family of Creation. This insight resonates with particular urgency in our time, when our common home is threatened and cries out under exploitation.”
In line with Pope Leo’s grasp of the breadth of St. Francis’ appreciation of creation, our local Catholic school youth were providentially invited in this Franciscan Jubilee Year to submit works of art based on the theme, “Wondrous Creation: The Beauty of God’s Work in the World” for this year’s Archdiocesan Visual Arts Competition. I was quite proud that their masterpieces, showcasing their talent as well as nature’s beauty, were recently on display at the Minneapolis Convention Center for the National Catholic Educators Association Conference. I’m already looking forward to when the award-winning pieces will be displayed later this year at the University of St. Thomas and at the Basilica of St. Mary.
It seems similarly providential, moreover, that the Franciscan spotlight on the sanctity of creation has also figured prominently this year in the work of the Minnesota Catholic Conference (MCC) as the MCC engages in local efforts exploring the environmental impact of data centers, a growing issue as AI continues to impact our lives on so many levels. I am grateful for the MCC’s thoughtful work and encourage you to explore this issue and other ways we can all work together to steward the many gifts God has given us.
In this week in which we are called to mark Earth Day, may the perennially relevant insights of St. Francis lead us to a closer relationship with our Creator, and a deeper appreciation for the gifts with which he has blessed us. St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us. Pax et Bonum!
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