About the Season of Creation:
The Season of Creation is the annual Christian celebration of prayer and action for our common home. Together, the ecumenical family around the world unites to pray and protect God’s creation. The season starts September 1, the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, and ends October 4, the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology beloved by many Christian denominations.
Driven by an ethic of caring about the future of our planet and called to be One Body, we invite you to join this celebration with our partners in mission, Associates, educators, alumnae, alumni and our Sisters across the globe. Each week the International JPIC Committee of the Society of the Sacred Heart will provide prayer guides to support our engagement in the Season of Creation. May our reflection and prayer ignite in us the passion to act.
2021 Theme: “A Home for all: Renewing the “oikos” of God”
This year we will be uniting around the theme, “A Home for all: Renewing the “oikos” of God.” Oikos is the Greek word for “home,” or “household.” By rooting our theme in the concept of oikos, we celebrate the integral web of relationships that sustain the well-being of the Earth.
2021 Symbol: Abraham's tent
This year’s symbol, Abraham’s tent, signifies our commitment to safeguard a place for all who share our common home, just as Abraham did in the Book of Genesis. You’re encouraged to place Abraham’s tent in a local garden as a sign of hospitality for the excluded. Communities are invited to pray with and for the most vulnerable in their community. The tent can also be present in liturgies or events throughout the Season of Creation as a symbol of the community’s intention to create a home for all.
Prayer/Reflection Guides:
Week 1 - September 1, 2021 - Introduction of the Season of Creation
Week 2 - September 8, 2021 - People: End Poverty and hunger in all forms and ensure dignity and equality
Week 3 - September 15, 2021 - Planet: Protect our planet's natural resources and climate for future generations
Week 4 - September 22, 2021 - Peace: Foster peaceful, just and inclusive societies
Week 5 - September 29, 2021 - Prosperity: Ensure prosperous and fulfilling lives in harmony with nature
Week 6 - October 4, 2021 (Feast of Saint Francis) - Partnership: Implement the agenda through a solid global partnership
Note: Links to weekly prayers/reflections will be added every Wednesday during the Season of Creation
How to get involved:
Individuals and communities are invited to participate through prayer, sustainability projects or advocacy.
Prayer: Host an ecumenical prayer service that unites all Christians to care for our common home.
Sustainability: Lead a clean-up project that helps all of creation thrive.
Advocacy: As members of the Sacred Heart family, we are called to be stewards of the earth. We ask that you visit the websites below to learn more and sign the following petitions endorsed by the Society of the Sacred Heart, United States – Canada Province:
- The Laudato Si Movement’s Healthy Planet, Healthy People petition urges all leaders participating in international climate talks in November to increase their commitments to cutting greenhouse gas emissions, stop all new fossil fuel infrastructure and redirect subsidies toward responsible renewable energy and farming practices. The petition also demands action to stem biodiversity loss.
- The Catholic Climate Covenant’s petition urges President Biden and members of Congress to “work together beyond partisanship, and for the common good, by enacting ambitious national solutions and demonstrating global leadership that address the sources and threats of climate change.”
Additional Resources:
For an official Season of Creation Celebration Guide, a wide range of resources, and a form to register your events go to: SeasonOfCreation.org.
We hope that this Season of Creation renews our baptismal call to care and sustain this ecological turning so that life may flourish, and all creatures may find their place to flourish in our common home.
