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Franciscan Perspectives
 
Walking the Walk
Phillips Robinette, OFM
Phillips Robinette, OFM, came to the friars later in life. The Franciscan values of peacemaking and concern for the poor and creation drew him to the Franciscans. As a young man Phil protested the Vietnam War and applied for Conscientious Objector status. When his petition was rejected and he was drafted, he joined the Navy, hoping to be placed in a non-combat position. After this request was denied, Phil escaped to Canada. Six months later he turned himself in and was given a six-month prison sentence (reduced to 41/2 months because he was deemed a model prisoner). Phil currently works in graphic design at St. Anthony Messenger Press and is a member of the JPIC Advisory Committee for the province. He maintains membership in environmental organizations and writes to his congresspersons advocating for government polices that support Franciscan values.
recommended links
FranciscansInternational.org
Read about global issues being addressed at the United Nations.
www.FranciscansInternational.org
OFM JPIC Resources
What are friars doing worldwide? Visit Rome's OFM-JPIC Office web site.
www.ofm-jpic.org
Introduction
Greetings, Good People!
Francis of Assisi, our patron, experienced all of God's creation as sacred. His famous Canticle of the Creatures includes the words:
"All Praise be yours, my Lord, through Brother Sun…Sister Moon and Stars… Brothers Wind and Air…Sister Water… Brother Fire… Sister Earth…Sister Death. All praise be yours, my Lord, through all that you have made. Happy those who endure in peace."
Francis had a profound respect for all of life. He experienced true solidarity with the poor and marginalized. As he embraced Lady Poverty, Francis was freed to live very simply, making peace in every encounter. It is these values that inspire our JPIC efforts. We work to bring about justice and peace in our world, to end violence and war, poverty and oppression and the destruction of our planet. Our efforts are often directed at the systems that cause this oppression and destruction. We work in collaboration with Franciscans and others around the world. We believe that these common efforts are gradually transforming our world.
We invite you to join us on this journey. If you would like to be added to our e-mail alert list, please contact us at sjbjpic@franciscan.org. We encourage you to visit our pages often and take action, as you are able. We hope that you, too, will be transformed in the process.
Blessings and peace,
Sr. Donna Graham, OSF
Office of Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation
Peace Prayer of St. Francis
  
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

O divine master, grant that I may not
So much seek to be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive,
In pardoning that we are pardoned,
And in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Contact the Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation Office: sjbjpic@franciscan.org.
Province of St. John the Baptist of the Order of Friars Minor ©2005