Give us new life, and we will call upon your name.. O LORD, God of hosts, restore us;
This one line from today’s Responsorial Psalm almost perfectly addresses the twofold focus of this Sunday: the beginning of Respect Life Month and the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi. This year, the Feast Day falls on a Sunday within the Extraordinary Jubilee Year declared by Pope Leo, to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis. I invite you to read the reflection below, acknowledging Saint Francis as a visionary of life.
As we begin Respect Life Month, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting the sacred gift of human life. The protection of unborn life remains a central focus, yet respect for life continues to be challenged by war, poverty, violence, and injustice. Here in New York State, we now face the additional challenge of the Medical Aid in Dying Act, which permits physician-assisted death for certain terminally ill adults. As Catholics, we are called to stand with every person, at every stage of life, affirming that every human life is sacred and worthy of dignity, compassion, and protection from conception until natural death.
Saint Francis: Visionary of Life
Saint Francis, the poor man of Assisi, is a powerful model for us in building a world and culture that is authentically pro-life. This 13th century saint was a visionary of the radiant goodness of human life. Early in Saint Francis’ conversion, he was riding through the countryside and came across a person suffering from leprosy. Despite being repelled by the appearance and smell, he came down from his horse and kissed the hand of the leper, who returned his kiss of peace, filling Francis with joy. He could see the invaluable dignity of every person, even amidst utter poverty, the disfigurement of disease, and the stain of sin.
Saint Francis is well-known for his radical imitation of Christ and his love for all creation. This is evident in his prayer, “The Canticle of the Creatures,” which praises God for all He has created: the sun, moon, and stars; wind, water, and fire. Francis proclaims that the created world reveals the glory of God himself. This is particularly true for the human person, created in the image of God, whose life from conception to natural death is to be honored and protected. Among all creation, the human person has the unique capacity to praise God, highlighting the distinctive dignity of human life.
“Hold fast to the memory of our father and brother, Francis, for the praise and glory of Him who made him great among us and glorified him in the sight of the angels.”1
Strikingly, Francis uttered his “Canticle” while lying half-blind on his deathbed. In welcoming “Sister Death,” Francis could no longer physically see the beauty of creation, yet still he praised God for the created world around him.
Oftentimes we, too, are blinded to the goodness of life. Our vision may be blurred by hardships such as poverty, fragility, or suffering, all of which Saint Francis experienced in his earthly life. In the face of such challenges, Saint Francis is a powerful intercessor, opening our heart and eyes to the gift of life even in the most trying circumstances. Francis had a particular devotion to the Lord’s own vulnerability—in the manger, in the Eucharist, and on the Cross—highlighting God’s presence in the most defenseless among us.
Pope Leo XIV has decreed that for 2026 “a special Year of Saint Francis shall be proclaimed, in which every faithful Christian, following the example of the Saint of Assisi, shall become a model of holiness of life and a constant witness of peace.”[1] The taking of innocent human life through abortion, assisted suicide, and other acts of violence destroys peace in our world.3 We are called to be witnesses of peace by boldly proclaiming the dignity of the human person and working for the protection of all human life. In this Year of Saint Francis, may he help us to see the beauty of life in all of creation, in particular, in the weakest and most vulnerable among us. Together, let us pray for the protection of human life and the courage to defend it.
“Most High, glorious God, enlighten the darkness of my heart and give me true faith, certain hope, and perfect charity, sense and knowledge, Lord, that I may carry out Your holy and true command.”
– Saint Francis’ “Prayer before the Crucifix”
Peace!
