Many Catholics are aware of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si (Praise Be to You) which carries the subtitle “on care for our common home.” It was published in May 2015 and has been the start of a strong ecological movement within the Catholic Church. You can learn more about the movement on the Vatican website for Laudato Si. And if you would like to learn more about the document itself, that too is available on the parish website – learn more here. Since 2015 this movement within the Catholic Church has led to our involvement with the ecumenical Season of Creation movement.
What is the Season of Creation?
It is a time of grace each year that the Catholic Church, in ecumenical dialogue, offers to humanity to renew its relationship with the Creator and with creation, through celebration, prayer, worship, action, conversion and common commitment. It is an annual period of prayer and action beginning, each year on September 1st and continuing through the Feast of St. Francis on October 4th. Watch the video to learn more and understand how this integrates into Pope Francis’ vision for integral living as God intended.
If you would like an in-depth look at 2020’s program, watch the webinar series at Catholic Climate Covenant.
What is this year’s theme? Oikos.
It is a biblical Greek word that can have two meanings: “house” or “family“. We have the same duality in English, e.g., when we speak of the House of Windsor. It can mean the actual English royal family and it can mean the lineage of succession of royal rulers. Oikos is both intimate and expansive. Oikos – our common home, the planet Earth, and the family who inhabits the home, all God’s creatures. Learn as you watch the video.
In case you are interested, did you know, other concepts related to Oikos contemplate the interconnectedness of life that exists on the whole Earth (oikoumene), where the Church calls all homes (oikos) to a conversion of our political, social, and economic systems (oikonomia) toward just and sustainable economies of life that respect the vital ecological limits and boundaries (oikologia) of our common home.
How will you lead your “house” to be part of the Season of Creation 2021?
Why it’s important
Jesus calls believers to work for the common good, which requires dignifying life in all its forms, caring for the common home, committing to the construction of more just, supportive, fraternal and peaceful societies, among other fundamental aspects.
Going Deeper
Often, when we speak of creation, it is related to nature, animals, landscapes, the sun, the moon, but rarely do we become aware that the human being is the culmination of the Father’s creative work, “God saw all he had made, and indeed it was very good.” (Gen 1:31), the Sacred Scripture states, implying that God, after the creation of man and woman, is pleased to see all their work. In this regard, it is important to mention that, in the Bible, there are several references to the creative work of the Father, who made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them (Rom 4:24) and, moreover, lovingly arranges everything to sustain and promote harmony: “Look at the birds in the sky. They do not sow or reap or gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them” (Mt 6:26).
In other words, he is not only a creator God, but a loving Father who tenderly cares for the work of his hands and has a vision of fraternity for all humanity – because we are part of the Oikos of God!
Season of Creation Initiatives
Online Ecumenical Prayer Service – Wednesday September 1st
Facebook Live:
@SeasonofCreation
@LaudatoSiMovement
YouTube Live:
Laudato Si Movement
YT Season of Creation
Take the St. Francis Pledge
Take the St. Francis/Laudato Si’ Pledge to (re)commit to living out the vision of the encyclical and our Catholic faith through prayer, concrete action, and advocacy. Over 10,000 individuals & families and 75 institutions have taken the pledge. We invite you to commit for the first time – or recommit! Take the pledge today! You can also learn more about Catholic Climate Covenant organization!
We invite you to join your voice with thousands of individuals signing this climate action petition across the U.S. Catholic community as a faith-filled appeal to President Biden and the U.S. Congress, to work beyond partisanship and create climate solutions to care for present and future generations and our common home.
This Catholic petition is in solidarity with Catholic institutions that are signing a Catholic climate action letter. We will deliver these united messages during Season of Creation, seeking and praying that they will move the needle of the nation’s moral compass toward the bold and ambitious solutions the nation and world need to address the climate crisis.
Unite with Christians everywhere and celebrate #SeasonOfCreation. A time of restoration and hope, a jubilee for our Earth! Participate with the global Christian family and me in prayer and action for our common home. Discover more at www.SeasonOfCreation.org
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