The theme for the 2024 Season of Creation is "To hope and act with Creation", and the symbol
is "The first fruits of hope", inspired by Romans 8:19-25. The Season of Creation is an annual international ecumenical celebration, endorsed by Pope Francis, which runs from September 1 to October 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi.
The biblical image in the theme pictures Earth as a Mother, groaning as in childbirth (Rom 8:22).
Saint Francis of Assisi understood this when he referred to Earth as our sister and our mother
in his Canticle of Creatures. The times we live in show that we are not relating to Earth
as a gift from our Creator, but rather as a resource to be used. “Creation is groaning” (Rom
8:22) because of our selfishness and our unsustainable actions that harm her. Along with our
Sister, Mother Earth, creatures of all kinds, including humans, cry out because of our
destructive actions causing climate crisis, loss of biodiversity, and human suffering as well
as Creation's suffering.
Pope Francis' Message for The World Day of Prayer
for the Care of Creation
Dear Brothers and Sisters!
"Hope and Act with Creation” is the theme of the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, to be held on 1 September 2024, [the beginning of the Season of Creation]. The theme is drawn from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Romans (8:19-25), where the Apostle explains what it means for us to live according to the Spirit and focuses on the sure hope of salvation that is born of faith, namely, newness of life in Christ.
Resources to Celebrate the Season of Creation
- To get the Celebration Guide, go to: www.season of creation.org.
The Season of Creation in Holy Cross Province
The Season of Creationn is an annual opportunity to deepen our Ecological Spirituality, where we “discover God in all things,” both in the beauty of creation and in the suffering of the Crucified of Today.
As part of the Season of Creation, Passionist ministry sites hold special services. For example, St. Mary's in Fairfield and Holy Family in Birmingham, Alabama host an annual Green Mass on October 4th, the feast day of the patron saint of ecology, St. Francis of Assisi. They also acknowledge the work of those who work with Creation and those who work for environmental justice.
John Meehan, one of the organizers, volunteered to share his experience and advice with others in Holy Cross Province who would like to plan a Green Mass. He can be contacted at [email protected].
For Passionist videos celebrating the Season of Creation, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLX1oMVs1ZQAdGEawsookkw
To see what other parishes are doing, go to:
https://catholicclimatecovenant.org/programs/feast-of-st-francis/