St. Francis and the Birth of Earth Day
by John McConnell, Earth Day Founder and Iowa Native
This article was submitted to Blog for Iowa
by the founder of Earth Day himself, Iowa native John McConnell.
WHAT WOULD ST. FRANCIS DO NOW?
The
global celebration of Earth Day on March 20, the first day of Spring,
is a matter directly related to St. Francis and the amazing results of
his vision and life. Were he here today, he would undoubtedly
focus all his prayer and effort on achieving Earth Day's original
purpose.
A little about Earth Day history will illustrate this.
Earth
Day is on the March Equinox, which determines the annual date of
Easter. (Easter is the first Sunday after the first full moon
following the March equinox.)
Not only
that, the equinox is also the New Year in Iran and other Islam
countries, which makes possible attention for a common purpose – the
sustainable care of Earth, with justice and peace for all.
This will help us show real love for our world neighbors and the web of life that covers our globe.
ST. FRANCIS AND THE BIRTH OF EARTH DAY
The
first Earth Day was inaugurated in San Francisco – The City of St.
Francis. I had long been familiar with the Prayer of St.
Francis: “Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where
there is hatred, let me sow love…” In 1969, we obtained backing
of the mayor, city officials, churches, schools, businesses – a really
all-out event with massive coverage in media. While the event was
backed by Franciscans and Catholic churches, participation included
synagogues and many other denominations. The Red Cross delivered
plants to schools for children to take home.
In
succeeding Earth Days at the United Nations, we demonstrated that
people of diverse creeds and cultures can leave room for their
differences and come together for “peace, justice and the care of
Earth.”
A factor
in the choice of the date was my own history. In 1957, I obtained
global attention for an editorial in my weekly North Carolina “Toe
Valley View” newspaper. The first Sputnik Satellite had just been
launched on October 4th. None of the media seemed to note that
this was the “Feast Day of St. Francis.” And launched by the then
Godless USSR! (The person who chose the date must have been a
secret Christian.)
My
editorial called for a visible “Star of Hope” satellite. It would
be launched as a symbol of hope to further understanding and peace on
our planet. It obtained front page attention around the world.
My own
study and prayer life led to the conviction that we needed a common
purpose that would appeal to people of all creeds and cultures – and a
way to get attention for it. We needed something that would
end history's terrible record of war and injustice.
These thoughts planted the seeds that led to Earth Day.
Another
factor was my efforts in 1963 to get global participation in a
daily “Minute for Peace.” I was responsible for the Minute
for Peace on radio world-wide, which followed the period of mourning
for President Kennedy. “Peace begins in the mind.” We asked
for a one minute radio spot on all stations that would carry the sound
of a bell and a thought or prayer for peace. We invited all
listeners to join in this special minute – to deepen their
commitment and increase their efforts for world peace.
Minute
for Peace became the centerpiece of Earth Day. When we ring the
UN Peace Bell we invite people world wide to join in two minutes of
heartfelt prayer that we will overcome “doubt with faith” and strive to
be a responsible Trustee of Earth.
Pray
that every year St. Francis Day and Earth Day will bring a new sense of
identity with the whole human family and a commitment to see peace
through understanding and love. And may we put feet to our
prayers with action to help make it happen.
John McConnell
www.earthsite.org
Blog For Iowa 