Season of Creation
Homily of His Excellency, Most Reverend Robert Casey at the Solemn Vespers for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation (PDF) and Visit (Here) to see recording of this Homily
September 1, 2023
From Thursday, September 1 to Tuesday, October 4, 2023, Christians around the world will be celebrating the Season of Creation by praying and boldly responding in solidarity to care for our common home.
“ ‘Let Justice and Peace Flow’ is the theme of this year’s Ecumenical Season of Creation, inspired by the words of the prophet Amos: “Let justice flow on like a river, righteousness like a never failing stream” (5:24)…When we “seek first the kingdom of God” (Mt 6:33), maintaining a right relationship with God, humanity and nature, then justice and peace can flow like a never-failing stream of pure water, nourishing humanity and all creatures.”
“How can we contribute to the mighty river of justice and peace in this Season of Creation? What can we, particularly as Christian communities, do to heal our common home so that it can once again teem with life? We must do this by resolving to transform our hearts, our lifestyles, and the public policies ruling our societies.”
(Excerpts from the Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the World of Prayer for the Care of Creation 2023.)
Visit here to read in entirety the Message of His Holiness Pope Francis
The Season of Creation is a time to join together to live the Catholic faith and care for God’s creation in transformative ways. To love God, we must honor all that God has created. To love our neighbor requires us as Christians to preserve, protect, pray, and advocate for all that sustains life. Catholics are uniting with others in the Christian family to protect and act for every creature in God’s beautifully complex web of creation during every season of the year.
Season of Creation Resources for Parishes
Visit (Here) for the Vatican Dicastery for the Promoting Integral Human Development Liturgical Guide for Season of Creation 2023
Visit here for more information and resources for parishes from prior years.
Visit here for additional information about the Season of Creation.
Season of Creation Events
Thursday, August 31 | 7 – 9 p.m.
World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation-Solemn Vespers
and following presentation by Sarah Elizabeth Ippel of the Academy of Global Citizenship.
Held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) 1775 Grove Street, Glenview, IL 60025. Details here: Link
Sunday, September 10, Mass, Celebrant: Fr. Joseph Chamblain, OSM, Pastor, Homilist: Fr. John T. Pawlikowski, OSM, will speak on Responding to Laudato Si’. A Call to Action, Assumption Catholic Church, 323 West Illinois Street, Chicago, IL 60654. Details here: Link
Sunday, September 10 | 12 - 2 p.m. Gardens and Prayer Labyrinth Walk, St. James Parish, 2907 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago IL 60616
Sunday, September 10 | 2 p.m. St. Mary of the Lake Laudato Si' Meditation Walk at Mundelein Seminary, 1000 E Maple Ave, Mundelein, IL 60060, sponsored by Creation Care at St. Joseph Parish, Libertyville. (Meet in the purple parking lot near the water tower, rain or shine).
Sunday, September 24 | 2 - 4 p.m. Laudato Si' Gardens Walk and Tour, St. Mary of Vernon Parish, 236 U.S Highway 45, Indian Creek, IL 60061
October 4
Feast of St. Francis and ongoing Laudato Si' Action Platform enrollment
Check back for updates and additional events!
Season of Creation Resources for Schools
Season of Creation for Grades 1-5
Season of Creation for Grades 6-12
- September 1st
- Second Week of September
- Third Week of September
- Fourth Week of September
- Fifth Week of September
For more information on this and other Laudato Si’ Action Platform/Care for Creation efforts throughout the Archdiocese of Chicago, please explore these webpages www.archchicago.org/creation and contact [email protected]