Praying for our common home
“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.).
Catholics have been asked to celebrate the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation on Sunday September 1. Pope Francis is encouraging Catholic communities worldwide to pray for our common home.
The theme for 2024 is ‘Hope and Act with Creation’ which draws its inspiration from the Letter of St Paul to the Romans (Romans 8:19-25).
The day is inspired by Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical Laudato Si’, which calls on every human to care for our shared Earth. In his message for the World Day of Prayer, Pope Francis reminds us how the Holy Spirit “keeps the believing community alert and calls it to conversion in lifestyles, to resist human degradation of the environment.”
The pope calls us, with the assistance of the Holy Spirit, to seek to live “a life that becomes a song of love for God, for humanity, with and for creation, and that finds its fullness in holiness.”
This World Day of Prayer coincides with the Season of Creation, which runs until October 4, the feast of St Francis of Assisi … an ecumenical season dedicated to prayer for the protection of creation and the promotion of sustainable lifestyles.
There are many ways to respond to Pope Francis’ call to care for the gift of God’s creation – perhaps a simple walk in your local park or thank God for the flowers growing in your garden! Or gather with others from your parish and reflect on the themes of Laudato Si’.
The World Day of Prayer is another opportunity for us to connect with our creator God and allow the Lord to redefine our relationship with the environment: from one of consumption and control to one of care and protection. Laudato Si’ reminds us that we have a responsibility to our Earth, each other and to generations yet to come.
To read Pope Francis’ letter go to: Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation [1st September 2024] (27 June 2024) | Francis (vatican.va)
For information about Laudato Si’ go to: Laudato Si’ encyclical resources (cafod.org.uk)
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