St. Katherine Drexel Regional Fraternity
Regional Spiritual Assistant
St. Francis of Assisi Friary
1901 Prior Road
Wilmington, Delaware 19809
tel: (302) 798-1454 fax: (302) 798-3360 website: skdsfo email: pppgusa@gmail.com
March 2025
Dear Sisters and Brothers in St. Francis,
The Lord grant you His peace.
With Lent already upon us, we have probably determined the “penances” we are going do, the prayers we are going to say (pray?), the charitable acts and donations we budgeted our time and “treasures” to be able to “afford to donate” to those in need. Careful praiseworthy planning leads to an effective charitable demeanor that may be of help to others, but how helpful to us? The question does not doubt the value of both attitudes. The question is how well it truly helps us to grow in the Lord. The attitude and heart underlying the practices is what makes them spiritually effective.
Lent is a time for us to recognize that we have come from “ashes”, or if you will, the dust of the earth. Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being (Genesis 2: 7). The truth of Genesis offers a reality check that is intended to humble not humiliate. The beauty of the story reminds us that no matter how low our origin, God breathed His own Life into us. We are His creation, called to existence and life in grace. The abuse of the great gift of free will – Original Sin – interferes with this intimacy and thus, through history, challenges us to be and do what is necessary for us to regain the gift. God always loves us. We must respond to God’s Love by seeking to know His Will and striving to live it. The penances, prayers, and acts of charity are the spiritual and practical “tools” we make use of during a lifetime to be restored to the person we were created to be.
Lent is a more intense period in the life of the Church for us to focus on this responsibility. Advent as well, though in a less intense way for most, offers us the same spiritual opportunity. Two penitential seasons each year call us to reflect, repent, repair, and be fully restored in our relationship with God.
We understand this intense yearly journey offered by the Church’s establishment of these two seasons. Taking time each day to see the world and people around us and also the world and people we may never see, and the beauty and awesomeness of God’s Loving Presence and Providence become overwhelming, almost frightening. Oh, we are not frightened of the Goodness of God but of our own stubborn pride that puts humanity into the “mess” life seems to be at times.
The Canticle of the Creatures, we Franciscans are meditating upon this Franciscan Jubilee Year of the Canticle, is the expression of the heart of a penitent, our Seraphic Father St. Francis of Assisi. He never forgot his past. He always was aware of God’s immense love. He bore the signs of God’s loving response to the prayer Francis offered so often: My Lord Jesus Christ, two graces I beg you to grant me before I die: the first is that in my lifetime I may feel, in my soul and in my body, as far as possible, that sorrow which you, tender Jesus, underwent in the hour of your most bitter passion; the second is that I may feel in my heart, as far as possible, that abundance of love with which you, son of God, were inflamed, so as willingly to undergo such a great passion for us sinners. Amen
Only in heaven with God can we ever experience as much as we are capable of experiencing, by God’s grace, the love of which St. Francis speaks. Nevertheless, Francis understood that the Passion-Death of Jesus was the human-divine sign of the extreme love of total self surrender. Through Jesus’ suffering and death, the depth of His love is manifest. St. Francis was willing to experience “death” – death to himself, death to the world and all its allurements – that he might rejoice in Jesus’ Life, Eternal Life with God. Daily dying to ourselves as well, though less recognized or understood by most, helps us to praise, bless, and glorify God in, with, and through life for all God is. Praise be you, my Lord God. Again we see the spirit of the Canticle at this juncture in St. Francis’ life.
His body is deteriorating rapidly. The pain from the Wounds, as years later our brother St. Pio of Pietrelcina would say about his wounds, were not given to him as ornaments. No pain no gain, to put it bluntly. There can be no Resurrection with no death. Francis’ pains and proximity to eternity, help him to view creation from a totally different perspective. The Canticle we are meditating is an example of this.
Having praised God in the mighty signs of the heavens – sun and moon and stars – Francis praises the Wind that is a sign and synbol of the transforming presence of God and empowering “breath” of the Holy Spirit. Having come from the heavens to the winds and air that surround us, Francis now praises another element so necessary for life: Sister Water.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water, who is very useful, and humble, and precious and chaste.
We have several ways to consider the praise of God for Sister Water. We consider water as essential element for the origin of life. We consider the various ways water is useful to humanity and how we learn to respect what it gives and even more what it can do. We consider water from a sacramental as well as liturgical perspective. Sister Water has so much to tell us, if we would only listen to her speaking in the rain, the snow, the rivers, the lakes, the streams, the vastness of the oceans and so much more. Do we take time to really open our eyes to listen? What we see speaks volumes, and loudly. Water is so common that we fail to recognize and value “her” as we should.
The praises that Francis gives to God for the gift of Sister Water really needs no explanation at first. We know that the body cannot live without water. We can live much longer without food than we can without water. Water and other properties is the environment in which a baby lives before he/she is born. Without this fluid there is no life. But there is also another reality that goes beyond this essential truth.
The poet in St. Francis remembers his walks through the hills and mountains. If you have ever seen the source of a spring, or cupped your hands to drink from a mountain spring, unadulterated by the care-less-ness of humanity, you would understand the adjectives Francis uses. They express his respect for the gift of water. They express his awareness of how God speaks to us through creation. In use, misuse or abuse, we reap the harvest of how we treat God’s gifts. God is the source of good. Use what is good badly and the consequences can be devastating.
Praise to you, my Lord, for all your gifts. May we be grateful enough for your goodness to respect and use appropriately all you entrusted to us.
Francis says that Sister Water is humble, precious, and chaste. Just think of Water here as a symbol of our lives each consecrated to the vocation we have received and accepted: humble obedience to God’s Word, precious poverty and detachment, chaste acceptance of the dignity and respect due of all human beings. The crystalline freshness of water at its source is a sign and symbol of the spiritual freshness and transparency of the love of those who surrender themselves totally consecrated to the Will of God: single, married, religious, priest, and so on. For the transparency and freshness of a life consecrated to fulfilling God’s Will, we all are called to listen to one another (obedience), to value the person more than things (poverty) and to respect the dignity of each person (chaste).
Humble – Water surrounds and protects us from the beginning of our existence. It cleanses our bodies, helps in cooking, needed for drinking to stay allive. The water that cleanses helps to heal certain injuries, and helps to avoid contracting some illnesses and diseases. St. Francis was quite aware of the tragedy of leprosy that destroyed lives because of filth and malnutrition, among other things. Water is soothing, refreshing, restores life. Without water you die! Hospitals learned relatively recently in medicine that the washed clean hands of a doctor was the cause of many patients be saved. This is why politicians in developing countries promise to bring clean water and water purifying plants. Even the uneducated in science and medicine know that water can save lives for the reasons given above, and so much more. Water is so humble because it lets itself be used in many versatile ways for the benefit of others who often take it for granted.
Precious – Suffice the few examples above to note how precious water is to life and the well being of people and animals.
Whether minimal moisture or the rains at the proper season, without water, food that sustains the world and keeps animals healthy and alive dies. What can be more precious than this?
St. Francis knew how cutting a water supply to a city was the beginning of its downfall during the city-state wars, in which he also took part. His first-hand knowledge remained more vivid.
Water was not destroyed in Noah’s time. Water was God’s the instrument of His purifying will.
The water creatures continued to live, and the world was submerged (cfr Genesis 6 and 7) until such time as the purification by water had succeeded.
The Waters of the Red Sea that opened for the People of God to pass safely to freedom from slavery, the purifying baths of the High Priests and Levites, the water turned into wine at Cana, the healing waters of Bethesda, and other examples, all point to the sacredness of water as well as its power.
But a word St. Francis uses can be somewhat revealing of deeper thoughts regarding this essential in life. She is chaste.
Chaste – The word itself may be used in various ways. Chaste may mean to be totally itself with nothing extra. It also can meantransparent, clear, pristine, lucid, and more. Nevertheless, praising the transparency and freshness of the waters from on high that refresh the body and give pleasure to the soul, one cannot help but imagine St. Francis seeing St. Clare in this imagery. She truly lived her name. According to Thomas of Celano, Clare was Clara nomine, vita clarior, clarissima moribus (clear by name, brighter by lifestyle, resplendent in character). Clare was Clara in natura, clarior in fama, clarissima in gratia (transparent by nature, brighter by fame, and resplendent in grace). How could St. Francis not have thought of St. Clare whom he and the friars admired and loved as a sister? They often asked her advice and readily sought her prayers and that of the sisters with her.
The Order came from a number of individuals, each with his own story. Clare seeks the solitude of the Gospel Life in the clarity of its basic form, to live Jesus. Consider St. Francis nearing death. His eyesight fails but not his foresight and insight. He recognizes the clarity of soul in Clare. The crystalline water is a reminder of the beauty and freshness of creation unadulterated by human disregard and that of Clare’s beautiful soul.
His soul takes flight thinking of God’s goodness in creating the refreshing gift of water that is also the means of our Re-birth in Baptism. Water is necessary for human life, and it is so also essential for our Spiritual Life. In the waters of Baptism we become children of God blessed to share in the redeeming Blood of Jesus.
The following reflection on the Biblical Meaning of Water: A Deep Dive into Its Spiritual Significance is worth reading for its simplicity and depth. It was posted by Sophia Rose on 02/21/2025
Water is one of the most recurring and powerful symbols in the Bible. It’s everywhere—from the creation story in Genesis to the final vision of the New Jerusalem in Revelation. But what does water really mean in a biblical context? Why does it hold such a profound spiritual significance? If you’ve ever wondered about the deeper meaning behind this essential element, you’re in the right place.
Let’s explore the biblical meaning of water together, and by the end, you’ll see it in a whole new light.
Water as a Symbol of Life
When you think of water, what comes to mind? For most of us, it’s the essence of life. Without water, nothing can survive. The Bible echoes this truth. In the very beginning, in Genesis 1:2, we see the Spirit of God hovering over the waters. Water is present even before light, land, or living creatures. It’s the foundation of creation.
In John 4:14, Jesus tells the Samaritan woman at the well, “Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” Here, water symbolizes eternal life—a gift from God that quenches our deepest spiritual thirst.
Think about it: just as your body needs water to survive, your soul needs the living water of Christ to thrive. It’s a beautiful reminder that God is the source of all life, both physical and spiritual.
Water as a Symbol of Cleansing and Purification
Have you ever felt the need for a fresh start? Water in the Bible often represents cleansing and purification. In the Old Testament, water was used in rituals to purify people and objects. For example, Leviticus 14:8-9 describes how a person cleansed from a skin disease must wash their clothes, bathe in water, and be pronounced clean.
This theme continues in the New Testament with baptism. When John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the Jordan River (Matthew 3:13-17), it wasn’t just a symbolic act—it was a powerful declaration of repentance and new beginnings. Baptism represents the washing away of sin and the start of a new life in Christ.
Even today, when you see water used in baptism, it’s a reminder that God can wash away your past and give you a fresh start. It’s a tangible expression of His grace and forgiveness.
Water as a Symbol of God’s Provision
Have you ever been in a desert—literally or figuratively? In the Bible, water often appears in moments of desperation, symbolizing God’s provision. Take the story of the Israelites in the wilderness. After fleeing Egypt, they found themselves in a barren land with no water. They cried out to Moses, and God provided water from a rock (Exodus 17:6).
This miracle wasn’t just about physical survival; it was a lesson in trust. God was showing His people that He would provide for their needs, even in the most impossible situations. When you feel like you’re in a desert season, remember this story. God can bring water—hope, provision, and relief—even in the driest places of your life.
Water as a Symbol of Chaos and Judgment
While water often symbolizes life and blessing, it can also represent chaos and judgment. In the story of Noah’s Ark (Genesis 6-9), God uses a flood to cleanse the earth of its wickedness. The waters here are both destructive and purifying—a reminder that God is sovereign over all creation.
Similarly, in Revelation 21:1, John sees a vision of a new heaven and a new earth, where “there was no longer any sea.” Some scholars interpret this as the absence of chaos and evil in the new creation. Water, in this context, serves as a reminder that God’s justice will ultimately prevail.
Water as a Symbol of the Holy Spirit
One of the most profound meanings of water in the Bible is its connection to the Holy Spirit. In John 7:37-39, Jesus stands up on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles and declares, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” The Gospel writer explains that Jesus was referring to the Holy Spirit.
This imagery is powerful. Just as water sustains life, the Holy Spirit sustains our spiritual lives. He refreshes, renews, and empowers us to live out our faith. When you feel spiritually dry, ask the Holy Spirit to fill you like a flowing river.
To help you visualize the different meanings of water in the Bible, here’s a handy table:
| Symbolism | Biblical Example | Key Verse |
| Life | Creation, Jesus as living water | John 4:14 |
| Cleansing/Purification | Baptism, ritual washings | Matthew 3:13-17 |
| Provision | Water from the rock, Elijah and the widow | Exodus 17:6 |
| Chaos/Judgment | Noah’s flood, parting of the Red Sea | Genesis 7:11-12 |
| Holy Spirit | Rivers of living water | John 7:37-39 |
1.Why is water so important in the Bible? – Water is a universal symbol of life, cleansing, and renewal. In the Bible, it’s used to illustrate spiritual truths, such as God’s provision, the cleansing of sin, and the work of the Holy Spirit.
- What does “living water” mean in the Bible? – “Living water” refers to the spiritual life and refreshment that comes from Jesus and the Holy Spirit. It’s a metaphor for eternal life and the transformative power of faith.
- How does baptism relate to the biblical meaning of water? – Baptism uses water as a symbol of repentance, cleansing, and new life in Christ. It represents the washing away of sin and the believer’s identification with Jesus’ death and resurrection.
- What does water from the rock symbolize? – Water from the rock (Exodus 17:6) symbolizes God’s provision and faithfulness. It reminds us that God can meet our needs, even in the most challenging circumstances.
- Why is there no sea in the new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1)? – The absence of the sea in the new creation symbolizes the end of chaos, evil, and separation from God. It represents the perfect peace and order of God’s eternal kingdom. (here ends the work of Sophia Rose)
Francis was a man whose whole life was centered on the Word of God in Jesus, the Gospel. The words of the Word Incarnate confect, through the priest, the bread and wine to become the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ. The waters of Baptism brought us into not only the proximity of friendship with God but also the intimacy of being one with the Son of God Whose very Person becomes one with those who receive Him in the Eucharist. Francis knew the awesome power of water, both physically and above all spiritually. How could he not remember the beauty God manifests, celebrate it in his canticle, and surrender himself to the Great I AM yesterday, today, and always? Through the purity of water, he saw the vastness of the transforming revelation of God and His Word, clarification of our relationship with Him through Christ in the Holy Spirit, and the promise of future glory that is for all who receive the saving waters.
Praise be You, my Lord God, for the freshness of the waters of your grace that cleanses us, refreshes us, and make us whole.
May the Lenten Season be a journey of joy fulfilled in Him with Whom we share the journey from Ashes to Golgotha. As we die with Him to ourselves, may the Easter joy we will celebrate in April be an ever-resounding hymn in our hearts and lives.
Happy Lent to all the Penitents of Assisi.
Peace and Blessings
Fr. Francis A. Sariego, O.F.M. Cap.
Regional Spiritual Assistant
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