Sunday, October 4, 2026: We Celebrate the feast of St. Francis of Assisi: “Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words.”

Reflection by Sister of Mercy Kathleen Mary O’Connell, RSM

Who is this man whose death 800 years ago is still being celebrated today? Why do ceramic statues of him decorate gardens around the globe? How is it that his feast day is the ending point for the Season of Creation each year? Just who is Francis of Assisi and why is he still so impactful for us today? 

We have known the story of Francis since we were little children. But it is good to reflect upon it from time to time. To find the answers to my questions, I went back to an old favorite book about Francis, “I, Francis” by Carlo Carretto (published in 1982). It reopened my eyes to the spirituality of Francis that extends beyond the image of a garden ornament.

As a result of his conversion, Francis saw the world with new eyes - God’s eyes. God was all around him, in every created being, each speaking to Francis. Everything reflected God’s presence back to him. Praise for all creation exuded from him. And the Canticle of Creation was sung, inviting all his brother and sister creatures to praise their Creator. 

For Francis, all creatures form one family of creation. In today’s crises in our environment—climate change, pollution of our water supplies, disastrous effects caused by human carelessness—Francis remains a voice reminding us that we are to care for our brother and sister creatures, that we ourselves are but creatures.

Francis’ eyes also opened to see the poor in a new way, a way that forever changed his life. Not only was he to help the poor, but he was also to be the poor. He was to totally put his trust in his Creator, knowing that God would provide for him as he provided for the lilies of the field.

Identifying with the poor opened Francis’ eyes to the injustices of the time: to the homeless, the hungry and the sick. Today he would identify with those who immigrate, those who are racially discriminated against, those who lack the basic necessities of life. He would recognize the inequality women face both in society and in the Church as he once encouraged Clare, the founder of the first convent of Franciscan sisters, and her companions to be bearers of the Gospel. Francis would work not only to change laws but to change hearts. Lady Poverty would lead him to understand that to be poor was to be blessed.

Having put aside the accoutrements of battle, Francis decried war and violence. He begged his God to make him an instrument of Peace. He encouraged his followers to take action to create a better world. As creation itself is threatened, he reminds us that we, too, are to be instruments of God’s peace in a world threatened by greed, hatred, discrimination, immorality and injustices.

As Sisters of Mercy and as concerned Christians,  we have set our Critical Concerns along the lines of Francis. They are God’s concerns. We, too, have been called to “repair,” not just the Church but the whole of creation. This is why we continue to celebrate the life of Francis 800 years later. The fact that these concerns are still with us today is reason enough for us to follow Francis. Just 200 years ago, Catherine McAuley, set out to “repair” the needs of her times. We, her sisters, continue to live that mission. Like Francis and like Catherine, our spirituality as Sisters of Mercy is centered on the Gospel message of Jesus.

“Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words.” While St. Francis of Assisi did not actually say the famous quote that is often attributed to him, the message is clear: Let our actions speak for themselves. Let them speak the Gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone. May our necessary words be the words of Jesus: “Love one another as I have loved you.”

May the Lord make us Instruments of Peace. St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us.

Peace, my friends.