As we celebrate Father Julian Tenison Woods’ day (7 October) in our Josephite story, we give thanks for his gift to us, our Church and our world. Julian was a noted pastor, missionary, scientist, musician and writer.
Julian had a deep love for nature and often encountered experiences of the Divine in his contemplation of nature. In a letter he wrote to Mary MacKillop, he said:
At this time of the year when we have just celebrated the Season of Creation, we recall how Julian himself hoped and acted for Creation in his time. We know that he spoke and wrote about the Tasmanian forests, the coral in the Great Barrier reef, the stars and skies and all plants great and small. This year, in particular, the flowers in our gardens have been fruitful and abundant in colour. In 1867, he wrote:
Let us consider all these things as being created, sustained, renewed and propagated by God and how perfectly they show forth God’s honour and glory.
We see that same invitation as Pope Francis continually calls us to care for our common home Earth, to open our hearts to the wonders of creation and to stand in awe at the beauty and diversity of God revealed to us in creation.
Let us honour Julian this year, by taking time to read the e-book, Window on Creation by Sr Carmel Jones rsj. View here.
Let us sit in nature and open ourselves to what God wants to reveal to us through the gift of creation. Julian saw that the Psalms are filled with images of nature, all inviting us to give glory and praise to our Creator. This ignited Julian to write down his own ponderings as he travelled both here in Australia and beyond. While living in France, he spoke of an experience of travelling through the mountains and looking out at the blue of the Mediterranean and the valley of Montbell with its snow-clad summit as a scene “which actually took my breath away as it was so much more than anything I had ever imagined.’’ (Julian Tenison Woods Memoirs 1887-1888)
Let us join the Psalmist in lifting our voices in praise of our Creator God as Julian did. On Julian’s special day may the God of Wonder be with you, delighting you with the beauty of mountains and valleys, fertile land and desert plains, oceans and rivers and with bird song and fragrant flowers, so that like Julian, you can know that experience of having our breath taken away by the splendour of our Creator God.
Sr Monica Cavanagh
Congregational Leader