Following the publication of his letter, Laudato si’ in 2015, Pope Francis called for observing a Season of Creation from September I to October 4, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.  Francis was joined in calling for the celebration by the Eastern Orthodox Patriarch, Bartholomew. Later, the World Council of Churches joined in.

Pope Leo recently endorsed Laudato si’ and its call for environmental conversion::

“…given the evidence in various parts of the world, our earth is being ravaged. On all sides, injustice, violations of international law and the rights of peoples, grave inequalities and the greed that fuels them are spawning deforestation, pollution and the loss of biodiversity…

Environmental justice – implicitly proclaimed by the prophets – can no longer be regarded as an abstract concept or a distant goal. It is an urgent need that involves much more than simply protecting the environment. For it is a matter of justice – social, economic and human. 

For believers it is also a duty born of faith, since the universe reflects the face of Jesus Christ, in whom all things were created and redeemed. In a world where the most vulnerable of our brothers and sisters are the first to suffer the devastating effects of climate change, deforestation and pollution, care for creation becomes an expression of our faith and humanity.”

Now is the time to follow words with deeds.”

I hope to offer reflections on the Season of Creation each day this month.

September 9th I will be presenting a Day of Prayer on the Season of Creation at the Thomas Berry Spiritual Center in Jamaica, New York, The day will center on the new Mass of Creation. From 9 AM to 2 PM. Interested? Call : (929) 357-6700        Email: team@thomasberryplace.org