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Season of Creation
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September 1, 2023 - October 4, 2023Pope Francis instituted the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation in 2015 as a practical step following the publication of his encyclical Laudato Si’. September 1 was chosen for the yearly observance, as it is the same date chosen by the Orthodox Church in 1989. The day of prayer gives Catholics the opportunity to give thanks to God for the creation of the world and of humanity, and to recall and strengthen the responsibility of men and women to care for that creation. Some options for the liturgy on this day include:
- Celebrating the Mass “For the Sanctification of Human Labor” from the Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions (no. 26; see especially the second Collect of formulary A) may be a fitting option.
- This formulary requires the use of Preface V of the Sundays in Ordinary Time, entitled simply “Creation.” The preface speaks eloquently of God’s creation of the world, and the need of humanity to praise God by caring for that creation. Connections between human labor and the care of creation can be drawn out by the formulary itself, and in the homily and Universal Prayer.
- Since it is a weekday in Ordinary Time, the green vestments of that season should be used for the Mass.
- The readings may be taken from the appropriate selection in volume IV of the Lectionary for Mass (see Mass “For the Blessing of Human Labor,” nos. 907-911; see especially 907-2 and 909-1).
- Even if no special Mass formulary or readings are selected for the occasion, it would still be appropriate to mention the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation and its significance in the homily, petitions, and/or concluding announcements.
- Other resources:
- https://www.davenportdiocese.org/care-for-creation
- https://www.davenportdiocese.org/documents/2016/6/litWorldDayofPrayerforCreation2015.pdf
- https://www.davenportdiocese.org/deacon-formation-resources/#LaudatoSi
- Catholic Climate Covenant: https://catholicclimatecovenant.org/resources
- Laudato Si’ Movement: https://laudatosimovement.org/resources/
- USCCB: http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/prayers-and-devotions/prayers/prayers-to-care-for-creation.cfm
- Laudato Si’ Action Platform: https://laudatosiactionplatform.org/
- Celebrating the Mass “For the Sanctification of Human Labor” from the Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions (no. 26; see especially the second Collect of formulary A) may be a fitting option.