The grotto will be dedicated on Oct. 3 (the day before the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi) at 8:30 a.m.
CHICOPEE –A five-foot tall, 300-pound grey concrete statue of St. Francis of Assisi greets adults and children as they enter St. Stanislaus School, a visible reminder of the Franciscan spiritualty espoused there.
The statue is located in a new St. Francis of Assisi Peace Grotto, near the main entrance of the Catholic school.
According to Franciscan Sister of St. Joseph Cecelia C. Haier, school principal, the grotto provides an area for reflection, beautifies the world and is a visual reminder “to be kind to one another and reach out to be peacemakers.”
St. Francis of Assisi was an Italian Catholic friar and preacher born in the late 12th century known for his care and concern for God’s creation.
When Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, of Buenos Aires, was elected pope this spring, he took the papal name Francis after the saint. At the time, he referred to the saint as "the man of the poor. The man of peace. The man who loved and cared for creation -- and in this moment we don't have such a great relationship with the creator."
One of the saint's admonitions was, “While we have time, let us do good,” the motto for the current school year at St. Stanislaus School. “Take every opportunity we can to help others,” Haier said.
The statue of St. Francis had been located by the school’s main door along with some rose bushes, but during the summer a four-week project enhanced the alcove area into the grotto.
It now includes a water jar fountain and seasonal flowers. Indeed, according to the website of Catholic Encyclopeida, all of nature loved the saint who wrote "Canticle of the Sun."
"The very animals found in Francis a tender friend and protector," the entry reads, in part, with early legends, telling "his 'little brethren the birds' listened so devoutly to his sermon by the roadside near Bevagna that Francis chided himself for not having thought of preaching to them before." ( www.newadvent.org/cathen/06221a.htm)
It cost about $1,600 to enhance the grotto; various benefactors and the home and school group donated funds.
St. Stanislaus Basilica parish community was founded in 1891; the Conventual Franciscan Friars, the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Assisi and the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph are among those to minister there during the past 115 years.
“We revere Francis for his sense of respect for everyone and for creation; that is the guiding principle of this school,” Haier said.
The grotto will be dedicated on Oct. 3 (the day before the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi) at 8:30 a.m.
St. Francis' Canticle of the Sun
Most high, all powerful, all good Lord! All praise is yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing. To you, alone, Most High, do they belong. No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your name.
Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures, especially through my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day; and you give light through him. And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor! Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.
Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars; in the heavens you have made them, precious and beautiful.
Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air, and clouds and storms, and all the weather, through which you give your creatures sustenance.
Be praised, My Lord, through Sister Water; she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.
Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you brighten the night. He is beautiful and cheerful, and powerful and strong.
Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth, who feeds us and rules us, and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.
Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of you; through those who endure sickness and trial. Happy those who endure in peace, for by you, Most High, they will be crowned.
Be praised, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whose embrace no living person can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Happy those she finds doing your most holy will. The second death can do no harm to them.
Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks, and serve him with great humility.