When Something Changes, Something Changes

A reflection on Orange Shirt Day 2026

On September 29, I went in for my weekly shift at St. Joe’s Café, a welcoming space that offers two meals daily operated by the Sisters of St. Joseph. At the Café we were remembering Orange Shirt Day on both the 29th and the 30th. Volunteers wore orange shirts. Our staff created a web with orange ribbons for people to write the name of someone they wished to remember. Just before opening, I was speaking to a volunteer at the front door. He was a former student of mine in high school some 40 years ago. In those days a few of the teachers and students, with the help of contacts in Moosonee, began to run a summer camp for the “Indian” children in the bush about 20 kilometers outside the town. Some relationships have lasted over these many years. He asked one question before we opened our doors. “Did you know anything about residential schools when we were there some 40 years ago?” we both shook our heads in some kind of disbelief that we knew nothing. Not a thing.

Some 13 years ago, First Nations people with the inspiration of Phyliss Webstad began commemorating Orange Shirt Day to remember the history of residential schools, to commit to changing the relationship between aboriginal and non-aboriginal peoples and recognize the harm created by the attempt to erase a culture.

On September 30 I was going for a noon time walk in a parklet that serves as a playground for a local school. It was around noon. Suddenly, across the parklet about 50 students between the ages of 6-8 began to race toward the swings and slides. Every one of them wore an orange shirt. The principal must have directed the teachers who reminded the students. The parents rummaged through drawers and found orange shirts. Some of them were specifically created for the day. Some were Halloween shirts or other team shirts. The point is they were all orange and people were intentional. I wondered what these children were learning about the history of other children. The counterpoint of carefree children reminded of other children who were not carefree was obvious. The hope that those running and jumping children and their teachers and parents inspired brought hope of an enlightened history moving toward real change.

And I was reminded that when something changes…something changes.

-Sister Margo Ritchie, csj

Image: chris robert @chris_robert/Unsplash

A Man Who Wore Out Too Many Pairs of Boots

Jean-Pierre Médaille was born in Carcassonne, France on Oct. 6, 1610 and was educated at the Jesuit College there.

On October 6, each year the Sisters and wider community of St. Joseph honour Father Jean Pierre Médaille, S.J.

Father Médaille, was born in 1610 in the beautiful walled city of Carcassonne, France. But walls never kept him enclosed. He was, in so many ways, a man who broke boundaries. As a young man he embraced his vocation as a Jesuit priest. After his time of formation and first ministries he was assigned to offering missions in the region of Le Puy en-Velay. His ministry required walking many miles across lovely, volcanic, hilly landscape. The story goes, and is recorded in the Jesuit archives in Rome, that he was reprimanded for “wearing out too many pairs of boots” in his endeavours!

During his travels Father Médaille met groups of women who wished to become nuns but were not eligible to due to Church discipline at the time that only permitted women religious to be in cloisters. In these women, Médaille recognized, however, an authentic vocation to religious life to be lived out in the world around them responding to the unmet needs of their time in places of squalor, violence, environmental destruction and profound disparities in wealth and poverty; a time not unlike our own.

Image: Oziel Gómez @ozgomz/Unsplash

Together, the women and Médaille encountered a mutuality of spirit – the realization of God in all things, a commitment to unity at the heart of Trinity, passionate service of the neighbour, a seeking of God’s call to “the more” rooted in the spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola yet original and feminine in its expression. In his helping the women to form the Congregation, which became a reality in 1650, Médaille once again broke boundaries. So too did the first Sisters as they realized a whole new way of living religious life. One might almost say, they were born in dissent! Sister Mary Cresp, RSJ writes, “they demonstrated the characteristic of breaking boundaries into a new way of being”. That way continues to evolve for new times. The entire community of St. Joseph, sisters, associates, partners in mission and friends express gratitude to Father Médaille on this day.

In Médaille’s own words, “love Love and let Love love through you”, and maybe we too will wear out our boots, metaphorically, on that journey into God and to the dear neighbour together. 💞

-Sister Mary Rowell, csj

Feast Day of Saint Francis of Assisi - October 4

“Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water,
which is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.”

This particular translation of St. Francis’ Canticle of the Sun is found on the Franciscan Friars website identifying it as the first poem to be written in vernacular Italian, probably in the Umbrian dialect.

Other translations of this text and melody have been singing within me as we approach this feast of St. Francis. Perhaps you also are humming All Creatures of Our God and King (a translation from the Italian by William H. Draper, circa 1919, in CBW 543), (below),  and Marty Haugen’s Canticle of the Sun (CBW 542).

The translation above is written in a prose style making it difficult to set to a metred melody. Of interest though are the adjectives “useful, humble, precious, chaste”.  This 2026 Season of Creation highlights care for water and our relationship with water – water that is ever so useful and precious. As the world awakens to its relationship with water, “useful and precious” stand as beacon calls against our destructive treatment of water, our overuse of water and misuse of water. The adjectives “humble” and “chaste” reflect the unique personhood of water – water as created gift with rights for protection.

What St. Francis understood in 1225 and expressed in his mystical relationship with all God creates has been reflected in the 2015 encyclical Laudato Si. Now in 2026 as we conclude the marking of this Season of Creation may we who have inherited this song of praise become heralds for the precious, humble, chaste, useful gift of water.

-Sister Loretta Manzara, csj

Image: Nick Castelli @nickcastelliphotography / Unsplash

Stand Up to Cancer Day

There is an interesting synergy between society’s calendar and the liturgical calendar today. One of the communion antiphons provided for today proclaims: “Come to me, all who labour and are burdened, and I will refresh you, says the Lord.” Our daily experience is filled with moments of burden, probably one of the most frequent is hearing of friends and family who are dealing with cancer in its various stages.

Today, society’s calendar offers us an opportunity to hold in our hearts those we cherish who are dealing with cancer, and at the same time become more aware of the research and contribute through financial donations. “Stand Up To Cancer” is an American organization started in 2007 by a group of women involved in media. The first case of cancer was documented around 3000 BCE on papyrus, and in 1903 radiation therapy was first used. The Canadian Cancer Society was founded in 1938. Over the many centuries research has identified the various types of cancer, some causes, and treatments that can slow and even manage the growth for periods of time.

Today, Stand Up to Cancer Day reminds us of the need for donations to continue the research.  The Canadian Cancer Society always welcomes our support.

From the scripture passage quoted above the phrase “I will refresh you” conveys the hope that holds us through times of trial. As a society we might consider that hope in the research work, and through the scientists who collaborate to find cures. As people of faith that hope also is found in the many persons who care for those suffering; hope is found in the cancer survivors who tell their stories and claim each day as gift; hope is found in walking the journey with friends and family, being supportive and hearing their stories. Stories that take hold of the situation and seek the energy for that one single day. These are my heroes, who teach me to cherish the gift of life. They “stand up to cancer” whether it be through their commitment to the therapies, their cherished time of resting, their pondering and sharing of treasured memories, their struggles to accept this challenge.

As we continue to support the research and researchers, especially today let us be mindful of our heroes who “stand up to cancer”. As a community, we hold them in prayer and walk with them on their journey.

-Sister Loretta Manzara, CSJ

Image: National Cancer Institute/Unsplash

International Literacy Day

“A Boy on Horseback” Photo credit: I-Stock with permission

I first saw him, a young boy on horseback, dressed in national costume, riding the grassy slopes of the steppe lands of Outer Mongolia, where my work, at that time, took me. The boy set out, early in the morning, on horseback. I was told by the Mongolian host that he was headed for school some 30 miles distant. It was through this encounter that I learned that, despite the hardships that the country was enduring at the time, a commitment to free compulsory schooling remained a pervasive cultural value with an emphasis on reading and writing.

One of the results of such nationwide policy, arising during the 20th century socialist period and continuing, is the astounding level of adult literacy in the country. Even today, Outer Mongolia is a leader in global literacy tables. Between 98-99% of the population read and write. Even given such success, further moves are now being taken to strengthen the reading skills of children under 5. What a tremendous example of global possibility as on September 8, each year, International Literacy Day (ILD) is celebrated.

First declared by UNESCO in 1996, this year International Literacy Day is celebrating a 60-year anniversary with a gathering in Mexico entitled, “Literacy for the People, Planet and Prosperity”. The celebration of ILD serves as a reminder that reading and writing are basic human rights opening the door to other rights. Having literacy skills helps to significantly reduce poverty, enhance health, create equality and social growth–offering possibility across the globe. As former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, has said: “Literacy is a bridge between misery and hope.”
As well as traditional “book-skills”, ILD has also encouraged effective and responsible engagement with digital media. Of note, however, this year are recent initiatives, led by the Scandinavian countries, to move away from digital-first classrooms to reverse a decline in reading comprehension and dropping literacy skills. A return to the use of physical books and handwriting, while not discounting gifts of the digital age, are being shown by scientists and educators to improve focus, comprehension and memory retention.

So, how might we celebrate International Literacy Day this year and contribute to the gift of literacy? Ideas may include making financial contributions to global and national projects that encourage reading and writing given that millions still lack these skills. More locally, reading with our children, inviting inclusive story gatherings, gifting books for our family and friends, hosting book drives to match teacher’s wish lists, volunteering to tutor children or adults, exchanging books with others, holding book clubs, promoting the use of libraries near us all help to raise awareness, enjoyment and social possibilities.

Next time we are nestled down with a good book or journalling the gift of our life’s journey, let’s also celebrate, with gratitude, these gifts. In the words of Pam Allyn, American literacy expert, “Reading is like breathing in and writing is like breathing out”- an essential then for a life well lived!

 -Sister Mary Rowell, CSJ