A miniseries for the Season of Creation, which commences today, 1st September, and continues until the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi on 4th October.

This is an ecumenical season that annually unites all Christians around the world to pray and act for our common home. To make the most of this time, why not prayerfully sit with the Holy Father's 2015 encyclical Laudato Si, and consider how we might each join the efforts now set in motion for the sake of all, especially those who are most disadvantaged, with whom we share this earth, our common home? Let us pray.

A prayer for our earth

All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace, that we may live
as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
O God of the poor,
help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth,
so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts
of those who look only for gain
at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognize that we are profoundly united
with every creature
as we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle
for justice, love and peace.

A Christian prayer in union with creation

Father, we praise you with all your creatures.
They came forth from your all-powerful hand;
they are yours, filled with your presence and your tender love.
Praise be to you!
Son of God, Jesus,
through you all things were made.
You were formed in the womb of Mary our Mother,
you became part of this earth,
and you gazed upon this world with human eyes.
Today you are alive in every creature
in your risen glory.
Praise be to you!
Holy Spirit, by your light
you guide this world towards the Father’s love
and accompany creation as it groans in travail.
You also dwell in our hearts
and you inspire us to do what is good.
Praise be to you!
Triune Lord, wondrous community of infinite love,
teach us to contemplate you
in the beauty of the universe,
for all things speak of you.
Awaken our praise and thankfulness
for every being that you have made.
Give us the grace to feel profoundly joined
to everything that is.
God of love, show us our place in this world
as channels of your love
for all the creatures of this earth,
for not one of them is forgotten in your sight.
Enlighten those who possess power and money
that they may avoid the sin of indifference,
that they may love the common good, advance the weak,
and care for this world in which we live.
The poor and the earth are crying out.
O Lord, seize us with your power and light,
help us to protect all life,
to prepare for a better future,
for the coming of your Kingdom
of justice, peace, love and beauty.
Praise be to you!
Amen.

See the Pope Francis' Message at: https://bit.ly/3AL59Dk

See information on COP27 here: https://bit.ly/3KGvOpt , and a video on the Catholic Church's position on COP15 here: https://youtu.be/s8MP3UgJEAY

If you would like to view the entire Laudato Si document, you can do so on the Vatican website. The document is available here: https://bit.ly/3q0IBda

You can see the ACBC's JEP Office publications, such as the Social Justice Statement 'Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor', prayers and other resources here: https://bit.ly/3Ro2XZb

You can follow the international Laudato Si Movement here: https://bit.ly/3eeE7wR

Please do consider how all of this may lead to a deep and lasting ecological conversion for you wherever you are, with whomever you live and work. Days and seasons like this are to mark our cultures, not just our calendars. God bless!

Artwork "Das Paradies" by Jan Brueghel the Elder, (c.1620).