(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Spring 2025  Issue #115)

Canticle of the Creatures Reflections – Part 1

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire,

through whom You light the night,

and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.

Brother Fire

by Kathleen Molaro, OFS

National FY/YA Commission Chair

Many of us can relate to the image of fire as a “brother” as St. Francis did. There is something special about sitting around a campfire and sharing stories; huddling in front of a woodstove on a cold night; lighting candles to add ambiance; cooking over an open fire. Francis used to say “At dawn, when the sun rises, everyone should praise God, who created it, because through it the eyes are lighted by day. And in the evening, when it becomes night, everyone should praise God for another creature, Brother Fire, because through it the eyes are lighted at night.” (Assisi Compilation #83)

Fire is beautiful, merry, and powerful when it dances in a campfire, cooks our meals, warms our bodies, or lights our way. But we here in California also experience our greatest fear when that dance crosses a boundary of safety or the power rages into a full-blown catastrophe, destroying everything in its path.

More than six years ago, the deadliest fire in the state’s history destroyed over 150,000 acres, killed 85 people and completely wiped out the town of Paradise. The community gathered on their recent anniversary, not to dwell on that horrific time, but to celebrate the hopeful future of the town. A mural was unveiled made of ceramic tiles of the handprints of local school children. The colorful handprints, arranged to depict a sunset, emphasized the power of a community united. The Rebuild Paradise Foundation explained that after the fire, the town experienced a dramatic landscape change. With the removal of trees came the emergence of new views, including the previously hidden sunsets and sunrises. The beauty of these sunsets has become a symbol of hope!

Not to diminish the tragic event, but to witness the good that has come as a result, it is evident that out of the ashes has come a stronger community, built on resilience, joy, determination, and courage. It has been a united effort.

In the recent Palisades Fire, there has been a similar response. Folks seeking solace amid the devastating loss have also found a sense of hope. One young person told me, “My neighborhood is stronger than ever now. We didn’t lose our houses, but most of the neighborhoods around us are gone. We come together often to discuss ways we can offer support to those who have suffered greatly.”

In the Palisades Fire, a blue VW van found intact in the midst of a completely destroyed background has become their symbol of hope. The van, only partially affected by the fire, stood in defiance and encouraged citizens to see that it is possible to rebuild their lives despite hardships.

Francis wasn’t immune to Brother Fire’s dangerous qualities. There are many stories of his respect for fire. He never wanted to extinguish any fire, even when his cloak was burning! He insisted Brother Fire be allowed to die on his own rather than being purposefully extinguished. And when he faced the trauma of cauterization of his eyes, he praised Brother Fire and reminded him that he had loved him all his life. He then said, “I pray our Creator who made you, to temper your heat now, so that I may bear it.” (Assisi Comp. #86)

So, even though fire can be devastating, it can also be an opportunity to light our way and guide us on our quest for holiness. Isaiah tells us, “You will emerge from the ashes as a new phoenix; you will be fully restored; you will be reestablished and you will roar.” (Isaiah 14:24) Let us praise the Lord through Brother Fire!

(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Spring 2025  Issue #115)

Canticle of the Creatures Reflections – Part 1

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water,

who is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.

Sister Water and the H2O Project

by Cathy Roszhart, OFS

Vice-Minister, St. Thomas More Region

SISTER WATER

 “Our world has a grave social debt towards the poor who lack access to drinking water.” Pope Francis

You may be familiar with and donate to the H2O Project, the international project that helps promote Christian solidarity, advocacy and financial support for poor communities who have no access to clean drinking water.

Last year our national fraternity donated a total of $10,400 for the H2O project to three separate entities including the Well4Africa social initiative. Out of that total amount, $4,400 went to Well4Africa alone.

The H2O Project is usually promoted during Lent; however, contributions are welcome all year. With that in mind, during the summer of 2024, an objective to raise money was developed in St. Thomas More region. Members were offered a way to participate in a collective action to help bring clean drinking water to our brothers and sisters all over the world.

“… I was thirty and you gave me a drink…” (Matthew 25:35)

My husband Steve and I were preparing to walk the Camino de Santiago in the fall from Lisbon, Portugal, to Santiago de Compostella, Spain (400 miles). Inspired with the idea to raise money for the H2O Project, we asked all members in our region to consider sponsoring our pilgrimage by pledging a dollar amount for the miles we planned to walk.

The connection between our Camino trek and the water project seemed obvious. When pilgrims set out to walk on the Way to Santiago, it is imperative to constantly keep hydrated throughout the day. Conversely, it is essential to be mindful of the amount of water you need to carry with you. You want to have enough water until you reach the next opportunity to fill up your bottle without weighing yourself down unnecessarily with too much water. Also, as you pass by public fountains, you need to ensure that the water is potable and safe to drink.

With this great awareness of the need for water during our walk, we truly appreciated various acts of kindness like when a young woman offered to fill our water bottles with ice cubes or when the woman at a café refilled our bottles with tap water instead of charging us for another bottle of water. These were great blessings! In the end, our Camino experience increased our empathy for all who thirst in this world.

Once we returned from our pilgrimage, we collected the donations. A total of 24 individuals and 3 fraternity councils generously contributed. At the beginning of this year, the members of St. Thomas More Region presented a check to our National fraternity in the amount of $3,270 to contribute to the H2O Project.