Pope Francis has established 1 September 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.
He calls us all to celebrate this opportune moment to “reaffirm [our] personal vocation to be stewards of creation, to thank God for the wonderful handiwork which he has entrusted to our care, and to implore his help for the protection of creation, as well as his pardon for the sins committed against the world in which we live.”
Pray with us
Season of Creation
This World Day of Prayer also falls at the beginning of the Season of Creation, which runs until 4 October, the feast of St Francis of Assisi. This is an ecumenical season dedicated to prayer for the protection of creation and the promotion of sustainable lifestyles.
How to respond to the World Day of Prayer
Individually
There are many ways to respond to Pope Francis’ call to care for the gift of God’s creation – why not take some time out of your day on 1 September to walk in your local park or take a few moments to thank God for the flowers growing in your garden?
You can join us in a novena to Saint Francis of Assisi, starting from today. Or you could pray it in the nine days leading up to Saint Francis' feast at the end of the Season of Creation. These beautiful prayers are based on Saint Francis' Canticle of the Sun and guide us to care for the earth and our most vulnerable brothers and sisters.
Pray the novena
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.
In parishes or groups
Because of coronavirus, any group celebration of the World Day of Prayer will have to look a little different this year.
You could pray a creation liturgy at home or outdoors with those in your social bubble.
Download a prayer vigil for the care of creation
Or get together with others from your parish online and reflect on the themes of Laudato Si'. This encyclical reminds us that we have a responsibility to our Earth, each other and to generations yet to come.
Use our Laudato Si' resources
If you cannot mark the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation itself, you could use these resources at any time during the Season of Creation (1 September – 4 October 2020).
For more information please visit: -
https://cafod.org.uk/News/UK-news/Celebrate-World-Day-of-Prayer
