The Season of Creation is approaching — it begins on September 1st 2020, which marks the World Day of Prayer for Care of Creation, and continues until October 4th, the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, Patron Saint of Ecology and Ecologists. Many Christians join in this special time to reflect, pray, and implement concrete activities that will lead humanity towards a lifestyle of solidarity that cares for our Common Home.
The Season of Creation is an ecumenical initiative that has been celebrated since 1989. For decades, during this annual season Christians across the globe have focused on being reconciled with our Creator. The Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch, Dimitrios I, proclaimed September 1st as a day of prayer for creation in 1989. In fact, the Orthodox Church year begins on that day with a commemoration of how God created the world. Other major Christian European churches embraced the day in 2001, and Pope Francis followed up for the Roman Catholic Church in 2015.
We Franciscan friars are enthusiastically joining in this ecumenical initiative. Several Provinces of the Order, through their JPIC offices, have organized activities in conjunction with the wider Franciscan Family. This year, our participation has more energy and hope because of the project called The Laudate Si’ Revolution.
September 1st – Launch of the music video, “Laudato Si’ Revolution” (on JPIC Facebook)
September 5th – Web Seminar: “Eco-Pastoral Center and the Eco-village Movement”. Available only in English, and registration is required HERE.
September 5th – Live: “Revolución Laudato Si’”, available only in Spanish (Facebook and YouTube)
September 7th – Laudato Si and Integral Ecology Franciscan online course. Register now
September 12th – Web Seminar “Global Laudato Si’” (East). Aimed at friars of the Order in Initial Formation. In cooperation with the General Secretariat for Formation and Studies
September 19th – Web Seminar “Global Laudato Si’” (West). Aimed at friars of the Order in Initial Formation. In cooperation with the General Secretariat for Formation and Studies.
September 19th: Live: Laudato Si’ Revolution. Available only in Portuguese (Facebook and YouTube)
September 26th and 27th – “Ecological Conversion Retreat” in cooperation with the World Catholic Climate Movement and JPIC-Franciscan Family in Colombia. Available only in Spanish. Registration required HERE before September 24th.