The 2022 Season of Creation starts this week on September 1st and continues until the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi on October 4th. The first day of the season has also been designated as the World Day of Prayer for Creation as Pope Francis proclaimed:
Each year, particularly since the publication of the Encyclical Laudato Si’, the first day of September is celebrated by the Christian family as the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation and the beginning of the Season of Creation, which concludes on the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi on the fourth of October. During this period, Christians worldwide renew their faith in the God of creation and join in prayer and work for the care of our common home.
The Season of Creation is a time to pause and take stock of creation, everything that has been bestowed upon us by our creator: the plants and animals, the mountains and valleys, the ocean and rivers, and our neighbors, throughout the world. It’s also a time to act to preserve creation for all, as well as future generations. As the old adage goes, we don’t pass the earth down to our children and grandchildren; we borrow it from them. In what shape will we return it when our time is over?
How can you act? How about deciding to reevaluate your banking and investments during this season to make sure they align with your values? I wrote two recent articles on this subject which you can find at banking post and investing post. More action ideas can be found at 55 Ways to Care for Creation.
There are lots of Season of Creation events in which you can participate. Let me suggest several:
- September 1, 7-8 PM: World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation over Zoom. This local event, organized by the Care for Creation Network (of which St John’s Saint Francis of Assisi ministry is a member). Join the prayer service at tinyurl.com/prayerdayforcreation.
- September 9th, 9-10 AM: Divestment 101: Investing in Our Common Home via Zoom. This informative seminar will be led by Joseph D’halluin, who serves as the divestment campaigner for the Laudato Si’ Movement as well as Alexis Fleming, the Western Region Finance Manager for the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace. Register here: tinyurl.com/divest-101.
Also, check out the Season of Creation events listing at seasonofcreation.org/events.
Here at St. John’s, the Saint Francis of Assisi ministry is planning several more events, including a Stations of Creation and the Blessing of the Animals. I will share details as we finalize the schedule in the coming weeks.
Working together, we can help take care of our common home.
Paul Litwin
Saint Francis of Assisi at St John the Evangelist 