FSC Associate Article
Franciscans, Pilgrims of Hope - Sister Joyce Shanabarger, FSSH - Saturday, May 17, 2025
By Mary Mosser, FSC Associate
We started our day with the Jubilee 2025 Prayer written by Pope Francis. Sr. Joyce talked about how we, as Franciscans, are pilgrims of hope. She explained that we can find hope in our common home, in others and in the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Sr. Joyce used three encyclicals that Pope Francis wrote which are Laudato Si’, Fratelli tutti and Dilexit Nos, to talk about these three areas where we can find hope.
Laudato Si’ talks about care for our common home. As a review of Laudato Si’, Sr. Joyce showed a YouTube video from Saint Edward Parish called: 10 Things to Know about Laudato Si' from June 18, 2015. Laudato Si’ is an overview of the environmental crisis from a religious point of view. It used the best scientific research available at the time it was written. Pope Francis provided many examples of the effects of climate change in his encyclical and showed how the worst effects are felt by those in developing countries.
Laudato Si’ is addressed to everyone on the planet and reminds us that our decisions have an inevitable effect on the environment. In this encyclical, Pope Francis is critical of those who ignore the problems of climate change and especially its effect on the poor. He called for all people to help protect and save our planet.
After the video and discussion on Laudato Si', we reflected on two questions. Can you recall a time when beauty moved you to experience God? When was hope birthed within you? I find hope in watching new life blossom. What came to mind was the lily-of-the-valley planted along the north side of my house. Every Spring, I watch stems, leaves and fragrant little white flowers sprout from the dirt.
Next, we covered Pope Francis’ encyclical Fratelli tutti which is about fraternity and social friendship. Sr. Joyce showed us the You Tube video from the Vatican IHD – ENGLISH Fratelli tutti from October 16, 2020. Fratelli tutti explains how people of our time are more divided and more alone than ever. Pope Francis reminded us that we are called to see everyone as brothers and sisters. To achieve this, we must have an open heart for the whole world.
The reflection questions following the video and discussion on Fratelli tutti were as follows. What is a sister or brother’s name that radiates hope? How and why? One of my Compassion sponsored children graduated from the program in 2024. In her final letter to me, she wrote that she wanted to come back and volunteer at the Compassion Center that she had attended. It gives me hope for the future that this young woman wants to give back to the place where she was helped and supported.
For Dilexit Nos, Sr. Joyce showed an EWTN nightly news address when the encyclical was released. Dilexit Nos talks about the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The symbol of the heart is used to express the love of Jesus. Our heart allows us to understand ourselves and to love others. We are called to imitate the love of Jesus in showing mercy and compassion to others, especially to the marginalized in society. Pope Francis believed that if we wish to change society, we should begin with the heart.
After discussing the three encyclicals, we went downstairs to Heritage Hall which is on the first floor of the Motherhouse. Sr. Joyce gave us two reflection questions and told us to look around at the articles on display. When we finished, we went to the Sacred Heart Chapel where Sr. Joyce read quotes from Mother Mary Theresa Dudzik, the foundress of the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago. When Sr. Joyce finished, we had some time to think about the reflection questions.
The third question was: As you sit in the quiet chapel and let memories of commitments, jubilees, celebrations of the seasons and anniversaries of the congregation come to mind, how do those memories fill your heart with hope for today? Reminders of these happy events give me hope that people are willing to step up and make a difference in the lives of others. I feel blessed and grateful to share in these events with the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago.
Sr. Joyce showed us where to find hope using Pope Francis’ encyclicals Laudato Si’, Fratelli tutti and Dilexit Nos. The encyclicals talked about finding hope in our common home, other people and in the heart of Jesus. After discussing the encyclicals, we looked at where we find hope in our own lives: in nature, in others, in the heart of Jesus and in the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago. Once we know where to find hope in our own lives, we can spread that hope to others around us.