Get to know
The Canticle Garden
The Canticle Garden is a place to deepen your faith through simultaneous connection with God and nature. It is a pilgrim site - a sacred place for all to gather in devotion, the spirit of Laudato Si' and environmental justice.
Our mission
Works of Mercy Ministry is a ministry serving persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and their families to foster a harvest of friendship, understanding, respect, and a greater appreciation of a Franciscan Spirit of sisterhood and brotherhood in the world.
Works of Mercy Ministry has joined the Laudato Si’ Action Platform and is planning to build a Canticle Garden and a prayer/gathering pilgrimage space on the grounds of the St. Coletta WI St Francis Center in Waukesha, Wisconsin.
This project focuses on four or more aspects of the Action Platform: Ecological Spirituality, Ecological Education, Response to the Cry of the Poor, and Community Engagement and Participatory Action as outlined by Pope Francis in his letter, Laudato Si’.
Inspired by
St. Francis of Assisi
St. Francis of Assisi could be viewed as the original Earth Day advocate.
Not only did he care for the poor and sick, but his sermons included animals. He wanted all creatures on Earth to be treated as equals under God.
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Pope Francis was inspired by St. Francis of Assisi's 13th century song 'The Canticle of Creation' for his new encyclical, Laudato Si.
The Canticle Garden is being developed along the lines of creation gardens that exist as spaces to be enjoyed through the artistic telling of the story of the Canticle of Creation by celebrating and communing with the sisterhood, brotherhood and
motherhood of various aspects of creation.
Such gardens, sometimes called Peace or Biblical Gardens, use sculpture, plants, landscape, paths, lighting and sound to enhance the Story. The gardens are enjoyed as reflective spaces and artistic structures to enhance the spiritual and devotional lives of those who live with them.
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Listen to our inspiration, the Canticle of Creation by Francis of Assisi, below:
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The Canticle Garden elements:
