…for believers in Jesus Christ, the Word of God who became man for our sake, “the life of the spirit is not dissociated from the body or from nature or from worldly realities, but lived in and with them, in communion with all that surrounds us” (Laudato Si’, 216). The ecological crisis thus summons us to a profound spiritual conversion: Christians are called to “an ecological conversion whereby the effects of their encounter with Jesus Christ become evident in their relationship with the world around them” (ibid., 217). For “living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience” (ibid.).
Pope Francis in his letter to Cardinals Turkson and Koch establishing the “World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation”
Pope Francis has asked us to pray on the 1st of September each year for the care of creation.
Explore the links below to many wonderful resources helping us to celebrate the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.
- To read the Message of Pope Francis for the 2016 World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, ‘Show Mercy to Our Common Home’, click here.
- To watch the Press Conference on the Pope’s Message for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation 2016, click here.
- To read the full letter establishing the World Day of Prayer from Pope Francis, click here.
- To read the latest papal encyclical, Laudato Si’ (Praised Be), click here.
- To learn how you can care for creation, click here.
- Register for the online prayer service here.
Scriptural Texts for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation:
- Genesis 1:1-28, The Story of Creation;
- Genesis 2:4-15, Man to till and keep;
- Genesis 9:8-17 God’s Covenant with All of Creation;
- Psalm 8-Divine Majesty and Human Dignity
- Psalm 51 – Prayer for Cleansing and Pardon
- Psalm 65- Thanksgiving for Earth’s Bounty
- Psalm 104- God the Creator and Provider
- Psalm 146- Praise for God’s Help
- Psalm 147- Praise for God’s Care for Jerusalem
- Psalm 148- Praise for God’s Universal Glory
- Matthew 6:25-34—Do not Worry
- John 1:1-5— The Word Became Flesh
- Romans 8: 18-25 — Future Glory
- Colossians 1:15.23— The Supremacy of Christ
- Revelations 21:1-5—The New Heaven and the New Earth
Click on the links below to access prayer resources relating to the care of creation within the Catholic Church.
- Guided Rosary on Caring for Creation, Franciscan Action Network;
- Prayer Card for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation 2016 from Catholic Earthcare Australia;
- Ecumenical Celebration, Franciscans for Ecology;
- One-hour Eucharistic Adoration, Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace;
- Franciscan Prayers, including the Canticle of the Creatures, from the Franciscan Friars Province of the Holy Spirit;
- ‘A Prayer for Our Earth’ and ‘A Christian Prayer in Union with Creation’, found at the end of Laudato Si’;
- Prayers of the Faithful, Franciscans for Ecology; and
- A Prayer Service Proposed for a Holy Hour or Benediction, Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.
Click on the links below to explore other resources about the care of creation:
- Saint John Paul II, Message for the Celebration of the World Day of Peace, 1 January 1990;
- Pope Benedict XVI, Message for the Celebration of the World Day of Peace, 1 January 2010;
- The Cry of the Earth and the Cry of the Poor, an OFM Study Guide on the Care of Creation 2016;
- ‘Care of Creation as a Work of Mercy’, the Laudato Si’ edition of the Justice and Peace Office newsletter, Act Justly;
- Teilhard’s Mysticism: The Circle of Presence, by Kathleen Duffy ssj; and
- The Global Catholic Climate Movement’s Eco-Parish Guide.
Articles about the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation:
- ‘Let’s find the time to pray for creation, as Pope Francis asks’ Austen Ivereigh, Crux, 01/09/2016;
- “Pope urges Christians to save planet from ‘debris, desolation and filth'”, Crispian Balmer, Reuters, 01/09/2016;
- ‘Christian Churches mark Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation’, Philippa Hitchen, Vatican Radio, 01/09/2016;
- ‘Pope Francis declares care for creation a new work of mercy’, Elise Harris, Catholic News Agency, 01/09/2016;
- ‘Pope Francis says destroying the environment is a sin’, Josephine McKenna, The Guardian, 02/09/2016;
- ‘Pope Francis heralds upcoming Day of Prayer for Care of Creation’ , Vatican Radio, 28/08/2016;
- ‘Pope Francis announces World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation’, Vatican Radio, 10/08/2015; and
- Season of Creation, September 1 – October 4, 2015, from Catholic Earthcare Australia.
Other Catholic organisations celebrating the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation:
- Catholic Earthcare Australia;
- Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace; and
- Global Catholic Climate Movement.
A Christian prayer in union with creation
Father, we praise you with all your creatures.
They came forth from your all-powerful hand;
they are yours, filled with your presence and your tender love.
Praise be to you!
Son of God, Jesus,
through you all things were made.
You were formed in the womb of Mary our Mother,
you became part of this earth,
and you gazed upon this world with human eyes.
Today you are alive in every creature
in your risen glory.
Praise be to you!
Holy Spirit, by your light
you guide this world towards the Father’s love
and accompany creation as it groans in travail.
You also dwell in our hearts
and you inspire us to do what is good.
Praise be to you!
Triune Lord, wondrous community of infinite love,
teach us to contemplate you
in the beauty of the universe,
for all things speak of you.
Awaken our praise and thankfulness
for every being that you have made.
Give us the grace to feel profoundly joined
to everything that is.
God of love, show us our place in this world
as channels of your love
for all the creatures of this earth,
for not one of them is forgotten in your sight.
Enlighten those who possess power and money
that they may avoid the sin of indifference,
that they may love the common good, advance the weak,
and care for this world in which we live.
The poor and the earth are crying out.
O Lord, seize us with your power and light,
help us to protect all life,
to prepare for a better future,
for the coming of your Kingdom
of justice, peace, love and beauty.
Praise be to you!
Amen.
