Encountering Saint Francis / All creation breaks into praise

Encountering Saint Francis / All creation breaks into praise

On the afternoon of October 4th, in the hush of early autumn, a quietly luminous musical was performed at the Catholic Franciscan Life Park in Daxi.

The chapel, a sacred green building woven with classical dignity and modern breath, stirred awe in every gaze.

Its ceiling opened into a cross-shaped skylight, allowing pure daylight to stream in—light that spoke of holiness without words.

Amidst towering columns, like the pipes of a natural organ, voices rose and echoed in graceful layers, as if carried skyward by the breath of heaven itself.

October 4th is also World Animal Day, a providential alignment, as the central figure of the musical—Saint Francis—was the saint who called all beings brother and sister.

To a world burdened by ecological grief, his life is not only a testament of faith, but a prophecy of kinship with the earth.

In 1979, Pope John Paul II formally declared him the Patron Saint of Ecology, recognizing his deep communion with creation.

Whether or not one walks the Catholic path, the story of Saint Francis speaks to all hearts.

His life transcends creed and century, echoing with quiet clarity into our age of need.

This was more than a performance.

It was a sacred moment of encounter—a luminous meeting of music, soul, and the living world.

Prologue — Father Kao Cheng-Tsai

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

How joyful it is to “encounter” one another here at the Franciscan Life Park.

Encounter is a daily grace—an experience that brings about transformation in both the one who meets and the one who is met.

Through such change, life becomes filled with the blessings God bestows.

In this way, encounter itself is grace.

By what seemed at first a chance meeting, we came to know Ms. Cheng of Huichung Clothwear.

As we spoke of life—its many reflections and values—

we discovered something quietly profound in the booklets she shared after each of her cultural events.

Inside each one was a message from the "Taiwan Tugou" collective:

“Make peace with yourself, with your friends, with the environment, and with generations.”

This vision resonates deeply with the spirit of Saint Francis of Assisi.

So we began to speak with Ms. Cheng about Francis—his life, his tenderness, his way of being in harmony with all creation.

Inspired by this dialogue, Ms. Cheng suggested creating a project that would embody both Francis's life and his ecological vision.

Thus, with shared hearts, we began this journey of creation.

Since many may not yet be familiar with Saint Francis,

we decided to begin with a gentle format: a light musical performance,

a humble first step, a seed planted.

As we grow in experience, we hope to deepen this into fuller theatrical expressions that we may one day share with you all.

We sincerely hope this small offering brings you joy and reflection.

May it receive your kind encouragement and prayerful support.

Thank you, and blessings to all.

Chapter One — Prologue

Have you heard of Saint Francis? Francis—a saint of the Catholic tradition—lived over eight centuries ago in Italy. He was born in the year 1182 and departed this world in 1226. Though he walked the earth for only forty-four years, the light of his life continues to shine, reaching far beyond his time.

What kind of man was he? What story did his life tell,that he would come to be known as a “saint”— and leave behind an influence so deep, so enduring, that even today, the world still listens?

Chapter Two — Encountering the Leper: A Life Transformed

In the time of Francis, lepers were among the most despised and rejected in society. They suffered not only in their flesh, but bore an even deeper torment in their spirit— for people believed that such illness was a punishment from God.

One day, while riding near Assisi, Francis encountered a leper on the road. Like everyone else, his first instinct was to recoil, to turn away. But something had begun to change in him. He had started to know God, and in that knowing, he remembered the compassion of Christ.

So Francis dismounted. And with trembling hands, he kissed the face of suffering. The leper, poor and outcast, stretched out his hand in desperate need. Francis gave him alms— and then, gently, he kissed that broken hand.

Chapter Three — Encounter with Christ Crucified: The Beginning of a Life’s Journey

It was not in comfort, but in the image of Christ crucified, that Francis heard the voice that would forever change him.

Before the cross—weathered, wounded, divine— he fell to his knees. Not in fear, but in surrender.

“Francis,” the voice called, “Rebuild my Church, which, as you see, is falling into ruin.”

In that moment, a new journey was born— not of the body, but of the soul.

He would no longer live for himself, but for Love that is nailed to the wood, for Light that bleeds, for Joy that suffers.

From this meeting with the Crucified One, the path opened— a narrow, humble, and luminous road toward divine poverty, and toward a freedom that no wealth could ever give.

Chapter Four — Encounter with the Gospel of Christ: A New Family

He read not with the eyes alone, but with the heart wide open. And the words of the Gospel came alive— not as doctrine, but as breath, as life, as a call.

“Take nothing for the journey,” it said. “Go, and preach peace. Live with the poor. Love all as brothers.”

These were not metaphors to Francis. They were the shape of his new life. He cast off wealth, set aside his inheritance, and stepped into a freedom that knew no possessions but joy.

Others began to follow. Fishermen, scholars, merchants— he called them not disciples, but brothers.

Thus was born a new family, not bound by blood, but by spirit. A community of praise, simplicity, and shared bread. A household of peace planted not in walls, but in the world.

Chapter Five — Encountering the Love of Christ Crucified: A Heart of Compassionate Love

He had followed Christ in simplicity. He had walked barefoot, embraced poverty, and lived among the forgotten. But now, he longed for something deeper— not to imitate from afar, but to feel as Christ felt, to suffer as Love suffers.

Upon Mount La Verna, in stillness and solitude, he prayed not for glory, but for the grace to share in the pain of the Crucified.

And Love answered.

Wounds of light blossomed upon his body— the marks of nails, the sorrow of the cross, the seal of mercy.

From that moment on, his heart no longer belonged to this world. It burned with a love so tender, so pierced by compassion, that all creation seemed to weep with him and sing, softly, with him.

Chapter Six — The Canticle of Brother Sun: Reconciliation and Harmony

The life that Francis lived—rooted in Christ and the Gospel—

finds its full expression in his Canticle of All Creatures.

There, we glimpse a soul fully immersed in the burning love of the Crucified Christ,

where God, humanity, and all creation are woven together in one sacred embrace.

As he approached his final breath,

Francis made a humble request:

to be laid naked upon the bare earth,

touching Mother Earth one last time,

as if returning to the womb of God.

And so he welcomed Sister Death not with fear,

but with peace,

as one greets an old and faithful friend.

For love, Francis had let go of all things—

yet his hands bore the richness of heaven.

For love, he walked in the steps of Jesus—

and his footprints revealed the way of divine life.

For love, he embraced suffering—

and from his wounded side poured forth a love

that gathered all beings to his heart.

Francis—why you?

One day, Brother Masseo asked Francis:

“Why do so many people come to follow you?

Why does everyone hope in you and listen to your words?

You are not tall or strong,

you have little education,

and you come from no noble lineage.

So why is it that so many follow after you?”

Francis replied:

“It is because the Most High watches over both the righteous and the sinner.

And among all people,

He could find none more wretched, more powerless, more sinful than I.

He searched the whole world,

and found no creature more lowly than me.

And so, in His great work,

He chose me—

so that those who are proud of their birth, their strength,

their beauty, their knowledge,

might learn this:

that grace does not descend upon the worthy, but upon the humble.”

Choral Anthem — The Canticle of Brother Sun

Perfected Love

On the morning of the Encounter performance, a profound conversation unfolded between Father Kao Cheng-Tsai, architect Tu Cheng-Ying, and Hui-Chung Cheng—the visionary artisan behind “Taiwan Tugou.”

Father Kao Cheng-Tsai shared:

"Though different religions may have different doctrines,

the essence of love is one and the same.

In Christianity, we speak of the love of God.

In Buddhism, it is the love of compassion.

And in every faith, love is the heartbeat.

The problem is never in religious difference,

but in whether we truly love one another."

He continued:

"Between faiths, we can seek what is most fundamental—

that which binds us beyond belief:

sympathy, compassion, mercy, kindness.

These are the shared soil beneath all our paths."

"One of the key themes of this light musical, Encounter

is nature.

Nature is our common home.

But today, she has been deeply wounded…

Through Saint Francis’s Canticle of All Creatures

we are invited to restore a right relationship—

to love the earth, to live gently among all beings,

to walk peacefully,

in kinship with both people and creation.

From this love for nature,

for the living world around us,

our inner life is nourished,

and the shadows within us begin to fade."

Encounter

A Musical of All Creation’s Praise — The Life Journey of Saint Francis

Date and Time:

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

3:30 PM – 5:00 PM

Venue:

Catholic Franciscan Life Park – Chapel

No. 305, Kangzhuang Road, Daxi District, Taoyuan City, Taiwan

Presented by:

Taiwan ToGo

Taiwan Franciscan Service Promotion Association

Co-organized by:

Voice of Catholic Taiwan

Bank SinoPac – Minzu Branch

Li-Chung Law Office