By, Charmaine Mandina,

Reflection on the message of St. Francis during the NMCS Easter Conference.

Eight hundred years on, St. Francis of Assisi still speaks to our world today. In 2026, the global Catholic Church celebrates a special Jubilee- a time to reflect on his life and renew how we live out his mission in our faith, our communities, our homes, and our hearts.
During the NMCS Easter Conference, we were guided in group discussions by two Franciscan brothers, who helped us reflect more deeply on the life and message of St. Francis.

Francis’ life is a story of dramatic change. He was born into a wealthy family in Italy, but he gave up his comfortable life to follow a path of poverty, service, and humility. His biggest transformation happened inside himself, showing us that real change starts within. As Brother Tatenda OFM said, we must “change our hearts before we change the world.”

Francis’ love for creation still challenges us today. He reminds us that we can’t truly love people without also caring for the earth that sustains them. Nature isn’t something to use or take for granted its part of our family, entrusted to our care. And if we want a clean and healthy environment, we each have to take responsibility for protecting and nurturing it.

We are called to live simply, taking only what we need, so that others may also have enough. A simple but profound question guides this reflection: If everyone lived as I do; would the earth survive? In answering it, we begin to understand our personal responsibility more clearly.

For our common hope, Francis didn’t just preach; he acted. He rebuilt the Church, stone by stone, showing a faith that is lived out. Today, we are called to do the same: rebuild hope step by step through real acts of love, care, and compassion. Show up where there is need, serve without expecting anything in return, and choose simplicity in a world of excess.
In this Jubilee year, young people, we are inspired to become instruments of renewal, living witnesses of hope, grounded in humility and love, and committed to caring for our common home.

Credits: Ideas inspired by Brother Tatenda OFM’s presentation on the Year of St Francis.