1 September is World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. This day is the first of its kind, and Pope Francis is encouraging his flock to engage with the great gift of God’s creation through prayer. The day was established in 2015, in a letter from the Pope that you can read here. It is hoped that this day will encourage people to continue to engage with the message of Laudato Si'.
In the message released to celebrate this day, His Holiness explains that ‘As an integral ecology emphasizes, human beings are deeply connected with all of creation’ and this day offers us a chance to give thanks and to reflect. He continues by encouraging cooperation between all Christian groups and a commitment to stewardship. In the message he tells us that he sees this as renewal of the message of Laudato Si' and praises the work done so far. He notes particularly the words of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, and his observance that committing a sin against the natural world is a sin against God.
He goes on to encourage us to use the day to examine our consciences ‘The first step in this process is always an examination of conscience, which involves “gratitude and gratuitousness, a recognition that the world is God’s loving gift, and that we are called quietly to imitate his generosity in self-sacrifice and good works’. This will lead us then to ‘a firm purpose of amendment’.
He finishes his message with a urgent call for practical and concrete action particularly by those in positions of authority, mentioning the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement.
The Holy Father offers a prayer especially for the World Day of Pray for the Care of Creation:
‘O God of the poor, help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, who are so precious in your eyes…
God of love, show us our place in this world as channels of your love for all the creatures of this earth” (ibid., 246),
God of mercy, may we receive your forgiveness “O God of the poor, help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, who are so precious in your eyes…
God of love, show us our place in this world as channels of your love for all the creatures of this earth” (ibid., 246),
God of mercy, may we receive your forgiveness and convey your mercy throughout our common home.
Praise be to you!
Amen.
You can read the full text of his letter here.
