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.
To learn more about the Season of Creation, check out the SOC webinar series at Catholic Climate Covenant.
What is this year’s theme?
Listen to the Voice of Creation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many have become familiar with the concept of being muted in conversations. Many voices are muted in public discourse around climate change and the ethics of Earth-keeping.
These are voices of those who suffer the impacts of climate change. These are voices of people who hold generational wisdom about how to live gratefully within the limits of the land. These are voices of a diminishing diversity of more-than-human species. It is the voice of the Earth.
St. Augustine writes, “[Creation] is the divine page that you must listen to; it is the book of the universe that you must observe.” Martin Luther wrote, “God has written [the gospel] not only in books, but also in trees and other creatures.” The book of creation and the book of Scripture are meant to be “read” side by side. Together, they form our understanding of who we are, where we are, and how we are called to live in right relationships with God and our co-creatures.
For Christians, Jesus Christ holds the two “books” of creation and Scripture together. Christ’s incarnation and resurrection becomes the hope for reconciling and healing the Earth. Listening to the voice of creation offers members of the Christian family a way to begin working with others who hold different kinds of knowledge and wisdom in all cultures and sectors of life. By listening to the voice of all creation, humans can join together to care for our common home!
From the Vatican: Season of Creation 2022!
This year’s symbol: the burning bush
The burning bush is the Symbol for the Season of Creation 2022. Today, the prevalence of unnatural fires are a sign of the devastating effects that climate change has on the most vulnerable of our planet. Creation cries out as forests crackle, animals flee, and people are forced to migrate due to the fires of injustice.
On the contrary, the fire that called to Moses as he tended the flock on Mt. Horeb did not consume or destroy the bush. This flame of the Spirit revealed God’s presence. This holy fire affirmed that God heard the cries of all who suffered and promised to be with us as we followed in faith to our deliverance from injustice.
In this Season of Creation, this symbol of God’s Spirit calls us to listen to the voice of creation.
I have heard their cry…I know their sufferings…Come, now! I will send you…I will be with you…
~Exodus 3:1-12
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!
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Additional Initiatives & Information!
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!
Opening Prayer Service (Online): Thursday September 1st
9 AM EDT
WATCH YouTube Live from Rome:
YT Season of Creation
Do you hear that? It is the voice of Creation!
WATCH: Season of Creation Kick-Off Event for 2022!
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