Season of Creation 2026 is upon us. Every year from September 1 to October 4, Christians around the world are invited to join our sisters and brothers in the ecumenical family in prayer and action for our common home.
World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation: September 1, 2026
The kickoff for the Ecumenical Season of Creation is September 1, established by Pope Francis as the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, encouraging the Catholic community around the world to pray for our common home.
The day is inspired by Pope Francis' landmark encyclical Laudato Si’, which calls on "every person living on this planet" to care for our shared Earth.
This year, Pope Leo XIV released a message highlighting the connection between armed conflict and environmental degradation, stating “the interaction between armed conflicts and environmental degradation often creates a vicious cycle, which destroys ecosystems, contaminates essential resources, such as air and water, and undermines food security. This fuels poverty, inequality, and new social tensions that can contribute to the emergence of further conflicts.”
The Holy Father calls for “a deeper personal and collective conversion” — a renewal of hearts that opens new paths forward. He reminds us that “the prophetic call to ‘beat swords into plowshares’ (Is 2:4) is therefore not only a vision for nations, but a call to each person.” In this way, each of us is invited into "the path of authentic ecological conversion, where the effects of our encounter with Jesus Christ become evident in our relationship with the world around us.”
Read the full text of the Pope's message for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation: https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/messages/creation/documents/20260815-messaggio-giornata-curacreato.html
Season of Creation: September 1–October 4
The Season of Creation, from September 1, the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, through October 4, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, is a special season of ecumenical solidarity where Christians come together in prayer and action to protect our common hope. Endorsed by Pope Francis in 2015, it invites us to embrace stewardship of the Earth, foster sustainable practices, and renew our commitment to caring for God’s creation.
The theme this year “Living Water" guided by the vision of the prophet Ezekiel (47:1–12): a river flowing from the temple of God, which grows without stopping and brings life where everything seems barren.
Water heals, restores, and makes creation flourish. But it also challenges us: to recognize ecological damage, to embrace our interconnectedness, and to immerse ourselves in the responsibility of caring for and restoring our Common Home.
Learn more about the Season of Creation here: https://seasonofcreation.org/
Download the ecumenical celebration guide here for ideas for prayer, and ways to incorporate and reflect on this year’s theme.
.png)
