The theme of this year's Season of Creation is, "Let Justice and Peace Flow." This international ecumenical celebration, endorsed by Pope Francis, runs from September 1st to October 4th, 2023., the feast of St. Francis.
Read Pope Francis' message for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation:
Message of His Holiness Pope Francis
for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation
1 September 2023
Dear brothers and sisters!
“Let Justice and Peace Flow” is the theme of this year’s ecumenical Season of Creation, inspired by the words of the prophet Amos: “Let justice flow on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream” (5:24).
The evocative image used by Amos speaks to us of what God desires. God wants justice to reign; it is as essential to our life as God’s children made in his likeness as water is essential for our physical survival. This justice must flow forth wherever it is needed, neither remaining hidden deep beneath the ground nor vanishing like water that evaporates before it can bring sustenance.
Resources to Celebrate the Season of Creation
- This link from Catholic Climate Covenant has the US Bishops' bulletin insert, a list of daily prayers, and many more liturgical and community resources: https://catholicclimatecovenant.org/resource/season-creation-2023
- To get the Celebration Guide, go to: www.season of creation.org.
The Season of Creation in Holy Cross Province
The Season of Creation 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 parishes, St. Mary's in Fairfield, and Holy Family in Birmingham, Alabama hosted a Green Mass at St. Mary’s on October 4, 2022, the feast day of the patron saint of ecology, St. Francis of Assisi.
According to John Meehan, one of the organizers, the parishes plan to make this an annual event. John 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].
To see what other parishes are doing, go to:
https://catholicclimatecovenant.org/mass-creation-resources.