1 September marks the eighteenth World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, which marks the beginning of the Season of Creation, ending on 4 October, the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Christians throughout the world will unite around the theme “Let justice and peace flow,” symbolized by a mighty river capable of drawing all people of goodwill into its current.
But let us take a closer look.
What is the Season of Creation?
The Season of Creation is the annual celebration for listening and responding to creation’s request for help: on this occasion, Christians throughout the world unite to pray for and protect our common home.
The “Celebration” Season begins on 1 September, World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, and ends on 4 October, the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the saint of creation recognized by all.
This season is characterized as an ecumenical journey, that is, in communion with all Christian Churches of the various denominations: the earth is everyone’s home, and we are all called to become its attentive and faithful stewards.
Through prayer and virtuous actions that protect our mother Earth, this 2023 Season of Creation can prophetically renew our ecumenical unity and care for our common home.
Pope Francis’s message
For this occasion, Pope Francis presented the Church with a Message that opens with a verse from the prophet Amos: “Let justice roll on like waters, and righteousness like a perennial stream” (Am 4:24).
The Holy Father chose this verse from a chapter that strongly criticizes the lifestyle choices of the people of Israel. In this way, he wishes to make clear that speaking of “ecological conversion,” “care for creation” and “prayer for our common Earth” requires, first and foremost, speaking of justice. Indeed, there can be no care for creation without justice.
Pope Francis invites us to heed “the call to stand alongside the victims of environmental and climate injustice, and to put an end to this senseless war against creation.” For all this to be possible, a transformation must begin in our hearts, lifestyles and public policies that govern society. In this regard, the Pope recalls the appeal already made by Saint John Paul II when he spoke of “ecological conversion,” which presupposes a different view of creation, focused no longer on exploitation but on stewardship as the “sacred gift of the Creator.”
May the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation and the Season of Creation find us - today and always - attentive collaborators in caring for the health of our mother Earth, our common home to safeguard for ourselves and our children!
