The Season of Creation - 1st September to 4th October 2022

The Season of Creation has a special significance for the Catholic Church, particularly since Pope Francis established 1 September as an annual World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.

The Season of Creation is marked throughout the Christian world from 1 September to 4 October (Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi) and celebrates the joy of creation as well as encouraging awareness-raising initiatives to protect the natural environment.

Theme: Listen to the Voice of Creation

The theme for the Season of Creation 2022 is "Listen to the Voice of Creation". "I have heard their cry…I know their sufferings…Come, now! I will send you…I will be with you" (Ex 3: 1-12). The burning bush is the Symbol for the Season of Creation 2022. Today, the prevalence of unnatural fires are a sign of the devastating effects that climate change has on the most vulnerable of our planet. Creation cries out as forests crackle, animals flee, and people are forced to migrate due to the fires of injustice. On the contrary, the fire that called to Moses as he tended the flock on Mt. Horeb did not consume or destroy the bush. This flame of the Spirit revealed God's presence. This holy fire affirmed that God heard the cries of all who suffered and promised to be with us as we followed in faith to our deliverance from injustice.

In this Season of Creation, this symbol of God's Spirit calls us to listen to the voice of creation, to the voices of those who suffer the impacts of climate change, to the voices of those who hold generational wisdom about how to live gratefully within the limits of the land. These are voices of the Earth. The global Christian family is called to awaken to the urgent need to heal our relationships with creation and with each other and to encourage our parish communities to do the same, "for we know that things can change!" (Laudato Si', 13).

Resources for use in parishes and in the home, during the Season of Creation 2022

The following resources are offered for use in dioceses, parishes and in the home, during the Season of Creation 2022. Thanks to Laudato Si, the Irish Catholic Bishops‘ Conference and Trócaire:  

1: Sunday Liturgy Notes for Season of Creation 2022 - This resource includes homily notes for each Sunday, prayers of the faithful, music suggestions, reflections and mass parts which highlight the call to Listen to God's Creation.

2: A Weekday Prayer Service for the Season of Creation 2022 -This ecumenical resource could be used to celebrate the World Day of Prayer for Creation on 1 September in an ecumenical setting, or as a resource that could be used for the celebration of the Eucharist in parishes. We have prepared it for a formal church setting or for use out-of-doors.

3: Season of Creation Brochure 2022 - A colourful resource with many practical tips and reflections on how to "Listen to the Voice of Creation". From the JPIC committee in the Diocese of Kerry and the Laudato Si' Working Group. For printing purposes please use this version: SOC Brochure 2022. This brochure is also available in Irish Season of Creation Resources As Gaeilge

5. Creation Walk Stations 1-25 - adapted from the booklet by Fr. Brian Grogan SJ, Creation Walk: The Amazing Story of a Small Blue Planet. You might use this resource in your parish community by setting up stations around the church, or around your parish, to convey the different stages of the story of our Universe. This resource will provide people with an opportunity to experience the wonder and awe of God's creation and to become familiar with the story of our Universe.

6. Earth Day Prayer Service - This beautiful service was compiled by Balally Parish, Dublin to celebrate Earth Day (April 22^nd) but could be adapted and used as part of any Season of Creation event. It includes a reflection by Father Dermot Lane.

7. Practical Actions 2022 - Some suggestions for practical actions this Season of Creation.

Diocese of Derry Environmental Strategy 

The Diocese of Derry has launched a consultative plan about climate change and the environment and is inviting everyone within the Diocese to read, engage and respond to it. The plan identifies actions and behaviours that support rather than destroy the environment. The suggestions cover such areas as land, buildings, energy, food, travel and waste.

With this strategy the Diocese acknowledges its responsibility to participate in the global challenge to mitigate against environmental degradation and climate change. Pope Francis issued a ground- breaking Encyclical called Laudato Si which lays out the importance of creation, the degradation and depletion happening in the world and the role everyone must play in caring for 'OUR COMMON HOME'. The Pope highlighted the need for an 'ecological conversion' – he said 'Living our vocation to be protectors of God's handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or secondary aspect of our Christian experience. Human life is grounded in three fundamental and closely entwined relationships: with God, with our neighbour and with the earth itself'.

What is Laudato Si?

Pope Francis' encyclical letter 'Laudato Si' - Care of our common home' is addressed to "every person living on this planet". Laudato Si' was published on 18 June 2015, in eight languages. At the time, many held great hopes that it would be a powerful voice of influence in three major UN moments, one of which was the UNFCCC Paris Agreement on climate change and greenhouse gas emissions.

What is an encyclical?
An encyclical is a letter circulated by the Pope to Catholic churches worldwide. It is sent directly from our Holy Father in Rome to Catholics all over the world and is often addressed to all people of good will, namely non-Catholics who may also want to read the document. Pope Francis' encyclical 'Laudato Si' - Care of our common home' is addressed to "every person living on this planet".

Where can I see the Laudato Si letter?
The encyclical letter 'Laudato Si' is published on the Vatican website - click here to view.