RE-humanize this Lent
Reflection Questions and ResponsesSee below the reflection responses and feedback from some of our members who attended RE-humanize the Lent. We offer these as a way to open dialogue and thus build relationships, something desperately needed in these troubling times.
Each week’s questions will be posted below the appropriate heading. (Jump to each specific week using the bookmarks in the beige strip below.)
To submit a response, click here.

Week One
What are my initial thoughts about the connection between speech that demonizes others and potential violence as well as polarization? Did anything I heard in the presentations surprise me or make me see the issue in a new light? Might I be called to re-examine my own speech during this sacred season?
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Week Two
In the Gospel according to Luke (4:1-13), Jesus is tempted by the devil to abuse his power as the Son of God in several ways. As a child of God, can I think of times when I have underestimated or undervalued the power of my speech, thereby causing harm, even if unintentionally? And times when I’ve underestimated the power of my speech to do good?
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What a year this has been for our work together as the Franciscan Action Network (FAN)! While our planet struggles with climate crises, the world’s...
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One couldn't help but feel the positive energy in the room at the first Franciscan Justice Leadership Conference held Oct. 13-16 with the theme...
Press Statement: Calling for Diplomacy and Peacebuilding to generate a Just Peace in Ukraine
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: Oct. 5, 2023 Calling for Diplomacy and Peacebuilding to generate a Just Peace in Ukraine WASHINGTON, DC – Religious...
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Photo Creator: RONEN ZVULUN | Courtesy of: REUTERSFranciscan Action Network Executive Director Michele Dunne recently joined Terrestrial Jerusalem’s...
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Statement: International Faith Delegation Accompanies Guatemala During Elections
August 23, 2023 FAN Executive Director Michele Dunne joined an international faith delegation to Guatemala convened for a better understanding of...
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Week Three
Cardinal Sean O’Malley has quoted Pope Paul VI in saying that dehumanizing discourse, including racism, not only wounds its target but that the speaker is also “mutilated by their selfishness.” In what way might my selfishness–the perceived self-interest that causes me to distance myself from others with whom I am at odds–mutilate me? Has my image of anyone been “mutilated” after I heard that person use dehumanizing or demonizing language about another?
(Sources: See this recent talk by Cardinal O’Malley, as well as this 2007 post.)
Suggested action: Take a walk outside to find signs of the changing season, such as green shoots or blooms on plants springing out of older, dried out growth. Take a photo and use it to remind yourself that you can change–and others can as well.
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What a year this has been for our work together as the Franciscan Action Network (FAN)! While our planet struggles with climate crises, the world’s...
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One couldn't help but feel the positive energy in the room at the first Franciscan Justice Leadership Conference held Oct. 13-16 with the theme...
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: Oct. 5, 2023 Calling for Diplomacy and Peacebuilding to generate a Just Peace in Ukraine WASHINGTON, DC – Religious...
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Photo Creator: RONEN ZVULUN | Courtesy of: REUTERSFranciscan Action Network Executive Director Michele Dunne recently joined Terrestrial Jerusalem’s...
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Statement: International Faith Delegation Accompanies Guatemala During Elections
August 23, 2023 FAN Executive Director Michele Dunne joined an international faith delegation to Guatemala convened for a better understanding of...
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Week Four
When was the last time you gave yourself the opportunity to have a serious conversation with someone with whom you didn’t agree, thereby allowing yourself to learn and grow? If you have avoided such conversations–or had them and regretted how they went–how could you approach the next one with a re-humanizing lens so as to be more open to growth?
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What a year this has been for our work together as the Franciscan Action Network (FAN)! While our planet struggles with climate crises, the world’s...
Franciscan Justice Leadership Conference a great success!
One couldn't help but feel the positive energy in the room at the first Franciscan Justice Leadership Conference held Oct. 13-16 with the theme...
Press Statement: Calling for Diplomacy and Peacebuilding to generate a Just Peace in Ukraine
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: Oct. 5, 2023 Calling for Diplomacy and Peacebuilding to generate a Just Peace in Ukraine WASHINGTON, DC – Religious...
Podcast: Jerusalem’s Contradictions and its Christians
Photo Creator: RONEN ZVULUN | Courtesy of: REUTERSFranciscan Action Network Executive Director Michele Dunne recently joined Terrestrial Jerusalem’s...
Laudato Si Action Plan from SoCal Franciscan Justice Circle
The Southern California Franciscan Justice Circle has been meeting, praying and discerning throughout 2023 in a process inspired by Laudato Si'...
Statement: International Faith Delegation Accompanies Guatemala During Elections
August 23, 2023 FAN Executive Director Michele Dunne joined an international faith delegation to Guatemala convened for a better understanding of...
Montana Youth Activists Prevail
A Montana judge has sided with 16 youth activists finding that the state violated their right to a "clean and healthful environment," which the...
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Some updates to encourage us as work continues on this issue. On Thursday Sept. 21, the International Day of Peace, FAN Just Peace Fellow Eli...
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Week Five
While we often think of political violence as involving many people (rioting, insurgency, etc.) or targeting elected officials, it can also involve acts or threats against ordinary citizens. A recent poll of nearly 600 local electoral officials showed that 77% believed that threats to their safety had increased in recent years and 17% had personally experienced threats, which often started with being demonized as “traitors.”
Ask yourself: How can I become more alert to potential violence or threats of violence taking place in my state or community?
FAN Needs You in 2024
What a year this has been for our work together as the Franciscan Action Network (FAN)! While our planet struggles with climate crises, the world’s...
Franciscan Justice Leadership Conference a great success!
One couldn't help but feel the positive energy in the room at the first Franciscan Justice Leadership Conference held Oct. 13-16 with the theme...
Press Statement: Calling for Diplomacy and Peacebuilding to generate a Just Peace in Ukraine
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: Oct. 5, 2023 Calling for Diplomacy and Peacebuilding to generate a Just Peace in Ukraine WASHINGTON, DC – Religious...
Podcast: Jerusalem’s Contradictions and its Christians
Photo Creator: RONEN ZVULUN | Courtesy of: REUTERSFranciscan Action Network Executive Director Michele Dunne recently joined Terrestrial Jerusalem’s...
Laudato Si Action Plan from SoCal Franciscan Justice Circle
The Southern California Franciscan Justice Circle has been meeting, praying and discerning throughout 2023 in a process inspired by Laudato Si'...
Statement: International Faith Delegation Accompanies Guatemala During Elections
August 23, 2023 FAN Executive Director Michele Dunne joined an international faith delegation to Guatemala convened for a better understanding of...
Montana Youth Activists Prevail
A Montana judge has sided with 16 youth activists finding that the state violated their right to a "clean and healthful environment," which the...
Updates on Ukraine Nonviolent Peacebuilding Initiatives
Some updates to encourage us as work continues on this issue. On Thursday Sept. 21, the International Day of Peace, FAN Just Peace Fellow Eli...
Take Action on Immigrant Family Unity
The principle of family unity is a cornerstone of our Franciscan faith. But millions of immigrant families are separated every day because of an...
Week Six
When have I spoken up for someone else who was dehumanized or demonized for their views? Was it someone with whose views I agreed or disagreed? What words did I use to object to their dehumanization and how did that go?
FAN Needs You in 2024
What a year this has been for our work together as the Franciscan Action Network (FAN)! While our planet struggles with climate crises, the world’s...
Franciscan Justice Leadership Conference a great success!
One couldn't help but feel the positive energy in the room at the first Franciscan Justice Leadership Conference held Oct. 13-16 with the theme...
Press Statement: Calling for Diplomacy and Peacebuilding to generate a Just Peace in Ukraine
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: Oct. 5, 2023 Calling for Diplomacy and Peacebuilding to generate a Just Peace in Ukraine WASHINGTON, DC – Religious...
Podcast: Jerusalem’s Contradictions and its Christians
Photo Creator: RONEN ZVULUN | Courtesy of: REUTERSFranciscan Action Network Executive Director Michele Dunne recently joined Terrestrial Jerusalem’s...
Laudato Si Action Plan from SoCal Franciscan Justice Circle
The Southern California Franciscan Justice Circle has been meeting, praying and discerning throughout 2023 in a process inspired by Laudato Si'...
Statement: International Faith Delegation Accompanies Guatemala During Elections
August 23, 2023 FAN Executive Director Michele Dunne joined an international faith delegation to Guatemala convened for a better understanding of...
Montana Youth Activists Prevail
A Montana judge has sided with 16 youth activists finding that the state violated their right to a "clean and healthful environment," which the...
Updates on Ukraine Nonviolent Peacebuilding Initiatives
Some updates to encourage us as work continues on this issue. On Thursday Sept. 21, the International Day of Peace, FAN Just Peace Fellow Eli...
Take Action on Immigrant Family Unity
The principle of family unity is a cornerstone of our Franciscan faith. But millions of immigrant families are separated every day because of an...
Week Seven
How has this Lenten process of considering the links among dehumanization, polarization, and political violence changed my way of thinking and/or behaving? What new tools have I acquired to cope with these issues? What’s the best tip I have learned to help me be a RE-humanizer? What new questions do I have?
FAN Needs You in 2024
What a year this has been for our work together as the Franciscan Action Network (FAN)! While our planet struggles with climate crises, the world’s...
Franciscan Justice Leadership Conference a great success!
One couldn't help but feel the positive energy in the room at the first Franciscan Justice Leadership Conference held Oct. 13-16 with the theme...
Press Statement: Calling for Diplomacy and Peacebuilding to generate a Just Peace in Ukraine
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: Oct. 5, 2023 Calling for Diplomacy and Peacebuilding to generate a Just Peace in Ukraine WASHINGTON, DC – Religious...
Podcast: Jerusalem’s Contradictions and its Christians
Photo Creator: RONEN ZVULUN | Courtesy of: REUTERSFranciscan Action Network Executive Director Michele Dunne recently joined Terrestrial Jerusalem’s...
Laudato Si Action Plan from SoCal Franciscan Justice Circle
The Southern California Franciscan Justice Circle has been meeting, praying and discerning throughout 2023 in a process inspired by Laudato Si'...
Statement: International Faith Delegation Accompanies Guatemala During Elections
August 23, 2023 FAN Executive Director Michele Dunne joined an international faith delegation to Guatemala convened for a better understanding of...
Montana Youth Activists Prevail
A Montana judge has sided with 16 youth activists finding that the state violated their right to a "clean and healthful environment," which the...
Updates on Ukraine Nonviolent Peacebuilding Initiatives
Some updates to encourage us as work continues on this issue. On Thursday Sept. 21, the International Day of Peace, FAN Just Peace Fellow Eli...
Take Action on Immigrant Family Unity
The principle of family unity is a cornerstone of our Franciscan faith. But millions of immigrant families are separated every day because of an...