Season of Creation 2025
On September 1, we begin the Season of Creation. Running through October 4, this is a time to raise awareness about our interconnectedness with all of Creation and the need to care for our Mother Earth.
This year’s theme is Peace with Creation, rooted in Isaiah 32:14-18. The prophet speaks of a desolate Earth, devastated by injustice and humankind’s broken relationship with God. Isaiah speaks of deserted cities and farmland overrun by forests.
As St. Francis laid out in his Canticle of Creation, humankind is not separate from Creation but is a part of it. Just as Francis discusses the roles of the sun, wind, water and other elements, our Franciscan role in Creation is as peacemakers and advocates for the marginalized. Through our efforts in these areas, we are also stewards of Creation. Here is an opening day prayer.
Opening Prayer – Season of Creation Celebration Guide 2020 – Peace with Creation page 14
Creator of all,
we praise you for the gift of life
and for the faith that unites us in care for our common home.
We confess how estranged we have become—
from one another, from your Creation, and from our truest selves.
We acknowledge that our greed and destructive impulses
have fractured our relationships with you, with others, and with the Earth.
Fertile fields have become barren,
forests lie desolate,
oceans and rivers are polluted.
Thriving communities have become places of suffering,
and the earth cries out.
Beloved Christ,
who spoke “Shalom” to frightened hearts,
stir us to compassionate action.
Inspire us to work for the end of conflict,
and for the full restoration of broken relationships—
with you, with the ecumenical community,
with the human family,
and with all Creation.
Prince of Peace,
through your wounds, teach us to stand in solidarity
with the woundedness of others,
of creation, and of the world.
Through your resurrection,
make us people of hope—
with a vision of swords turned into ploughshares
and tears transformed into joy.
May we come together as one family,
to labour for your peace—
a shalom where all your people
may dwell in safety,
and rest in quiet places.
Amen.
