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The rhythm of the Christian calendar holds many treasures, with each month bearing its unique significance. The Season of Creation, from 1st September, which marks the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, until 4th October, the feast of St Francis of Assisi, was introduced by Pope Francis through his encyclical ‘Laudato Si’. It is a poignant reminder of our interconnectedness with the world around us. Concluding with the feast of St Francis, this period calls on us to celebrate not just the splendour of our surroundings but also the boundless love of God that it reflects.

St Francis as a role model

St Francis of Assisi, whose feast day punctuates the end of this particular month, embodied a profound love for God, humanity, and every facet of creation. His legacy paints a vivid picture of a man who saw God in every sunset, every bird’s song, and every whisper of the wind. His affinity for animals, in particular, remains an enduring part of his legend, reminding us of the sanctity of all life forms.

This Season of Creation, let us take a moment to step back, to appreciate the marvels of the world we inhabit, and to strengthen our commitment to its care. Whether through conscious choices we make to reduce our environmental footprint or the simple act of blessing our furry, feathered, or finned friends, let’s reaffirm our vow to cherish and protect God’s wondrous creation.

As the sun sets on this sacred month, leading us into the feast of St Francis, may our hearts be filled with gratitude, love, and an unwavering resolve to be stewards of this beautiful planet that we call home.

The blessing of pets and other animals

In many schools across Malta, the spirit of St Francis is brought to life in a heartwarming tradition: the blessing of animals and pets. This ceremony, often held on his feast day, is a touching testament to the bond between humans and their animal companions. As prayers rise and blessings are bestowed, we are reminded that the love of God envelops every creature, great and small.


Prayer Spaces related to God’s creation

Appreciating Nature

During this prayer space, one shows gratitude to God for what nature offers.

Canticle Of Creatures: Brother Sun

In this prayer space while thanking God for the gift of the sun, one will have the time to think of how like the ‘brother sun’ s/he can happily start the days for oneself and for those around him/her.

Empty Plate

Apart from praying for world leaders to be given wisdom and courage to lead fairly, this prayer space also helps one to reflect on living without food due to injustice and economic-greed.

Canticle Of Creatures: Sister Moon

In this prayer space one can express to God how he/she feels about changing and growing up.

Canticle Of Creatures: Brother Wind

In this prayer space one is invited to think how s/he can make good use of his/her energy in the same way that ‘brother wind’ can produce pollution free energy by making good use of its power.

Our Common Home

In this prayer space, one is invited to ponder upon how one can make a difference in taking simple eco-actions to save our planet earth.

Flags Prayers

This prayer space one is reminded that different flags represent different countries, and hence is given time to choose a country and pray for its needs.

Season of Creation 2022


Resources

Creator of All,
From your communion of love life sprung forth like a mighty river and the whole cosmos came into being. On this Earth of overflowing love, the Word was made flesh and went forth with the life-giving waters proclaiming peace and justice for all creation.

You called human beings to till and keep your garden. You placed us into right relationship with each creature, but we failed to listen to the cries of the Earth and the cries of the most vulnerable. We broke with the flowing communion of love and sinned against you by not safeguarding the
conditions for life.

We lament the loss of our fellow species and their habitats, we grieve the loss of human cultures, along with the lives and livelihoods that have been displaced or perished, and we ache at the sight of an economy of death, war and violence that we have inflicted on ourselves and on the
Earth.

Open our ears to your creative, reconciling and sustaining Word that calls to us through the book of Scripture and the book of creation. Bless us once again with your life-giving waters so that the Creator Spirit may let justice and peace flow in our hearts and overflow into all creation.

Open our hearts to receive the living waters of God’s justice and peace and to share it with our suffering brothers and sisters, all creatures around us, and all creation.

Bless us to walk together with all people of goodwill so that the many streams of the living waters of God’s justice and peace may become a mighty river all over the Earth.

In the name of the One who came to proclaim good news to all creation, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Must See…The Letter

The Letter is a documentary that tells the compelling and urgent story of the Laudato Si’ encyclical letter by Pope Francis, through the eyes of five people representing the groups most affected by our ecological crisis. They travel from different continents to the Vatican for a powerful dialogue with the Pope. As the stories unfold, be inspired by how spiritual values unite us in the face of a planetary emergency.

Watch The Letter at https://www.theletterfilm.org/

Must Read…Laudato Si’, Care for Our Common Home

In 2015, Pope Francis wrote Laudato Si’, an encyclical letter about the environmental crisis, to every single person in the world. Laudato Si’ sets out an integral ecology where everything is connected—the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. It focuses on care for the natural environment and all people, as well as broader questions of the relationship between God, humans, and the Earth.

Read Laudato Si’ at 

The official global website with a wealth of resources and online events is: SeasonofCreation.org.

 

Material

Holy Mass & Blessings of the pets

compiled by STMC Secondary School, Żejtun



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