September 1st marks the beginning of the Season of Creation, an annual ecumenical celebration of prayer and action for our common home. During the Season, which runs til the feast of St. Francis of Assisi on October 4th, Christians around the world are called to renew their relationship with the Creator and with creation through celebration, conversion and commitment.
The theme for the 2021 Season of Creation is “A Home for All? Renewing the Oikos of God”. Oikos is the Greek word for “home” or “household”, and so this year’s focus is on the integral web of relationships that sustain the well-being of the Earth.
The Season of Creation website has lots of information and resources, including Guides with concrete suggestions for ways people may participate through prayer, sustainability projects, and advocacy. There’s also a forum where people may share the events they are planning for their communities and invite others to participate. In addition, the Laudato Si’ Movement has created a page of resources specifically for Catholics, including a toolkit for hosting a Season of Creation Petition Event, a guide to praying outdoors during the season, and information on ways to green your parish.
Pope Francis has invited all Catholics to participate in this annual Season, to “renew their faith in the God of creation and join in prayer and work for the care of our common home.” His prayer intention for the month of September, for “an environmentally sustainable lifestyle”, also emphasizes his deep commitment to this important cause. Together with the Pope, we pray with the words of the Season of Creation 2021 Prayer:
In this Season of Creation, we pray
that the breath of your creative Word would move our hearts,
as in the waters of our birth and baptism.
Give us faith to follow Christ to our just place in the beloved community.
Enlighten us with the grace to respond to your covenant
and call to care for our common home.
