The event attracted more than a thousand participants from across the globe, including bishops, priests, religious, lay faithful, and experts in liturgy and ecology.
The webinar focused on the importance of celebrating 1 September, the World Day of Prayer for Creation, and the wider Season of Creation (1 September–4 October), encouraging the faithful to deepen their commitment to caring for God's creation through prayer, reflection, and concrete action.
"The Earth is the Lord's and all that is in it." (Psalm 24:1)
Although the observance of this day has its roots in the Eastern Churches, it has now become an important celebration for the whole Catholic Church. At a time when our world is increasingly affected by climate change, environmental degradation, and the loss of biodiversity, every Christian is invited to offer his or her "widow's mite" in response to this global crisis.
Why Celebrate the World Day of Prayer for Creation?
Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines presented five compelling reasons why this celebration deserves a central place in the life of the Church.
1. Reading the Signs of the Times
The growing number of natural disasters, rising temperatures, pollution, and the destruction of ecosystems remind us that creation is suffering. These signs call us not only to concern but also to prayer, conversion, and responsible action.
2. Celebrating the Mystery of Creation
The Mass for the Care of Creation allows the Church to contemplate more deeply the mystery of creation through Christ. It enriches our appreciation of God as Creator and helps us rediscover the beauty of Scripture's vision of creation as a gift entrusted to humanity.
3. A Path of Evangelisation for Young People
Young people today are deeply concerned about the future of our planet. By embracing care for creation, the Church demonstrates that their hopes and concerns are also her own. Celebrating this day becomes a powerful opportunity to engage younger generations in the life and mission of the Church.
4. Ecumenical Witness
The World Day of Prayer for Creation offers Christians of different traditions the opportunity to pray together for our common home. This shared celebration strengthens bonds of unity and expresses our common responsibility as stewards of God's creation.
5. A Living Expression of Popular Piety
Throughout the world, Christians readily gather with reverence and joy to celebrate God's gift of creation. This growing devotion reflects a genuine desire to praise the Creator and to protect the beauty of the world entrusted to us.
Why Celebrate Within the Eucharist?
The Church places this celebration at the very heart of her worship: the Holy Eucharist, the highest form of Christian prayer.
Sr Catherine Vincie; a Liturgical Schola from the Aquinas Institute of Theology and former president of the North America Academy of Liturgy, offered three theological insights that help us appreciate the profound relationship between the Eucharist and the care of creation.
The Eucharist: Our Greatest Act of Thanksgiving
Creation is the free and loving gift of God. In the Eucharist, the Church offers her deepest thanksgiving to the Creator. Celebrating the Mass for Creation reminds us that gratitude naturally leads to responsible stewardship.
Creation and Redemption Belong Together
Our faith teaches that creation and redemption cannot be separated. Our prayer must be reflected in our daily lives. Caring for creation is therefore not an optional activity but an authentic expression of Christian discipleship.
Believing, Praying, and Living
What we believe shapes our prayer, and our prayer should shape the way we live. Every Eucharistic celebration calls us to become faithful caretakers of God's gifts and active builders of justice, peace, and ecological harmony.
What Does This Mean for Holy Union?
As Sisters of Holy Union, we are invited to join wholeheartedly in this global movement of prayer and action.
Every community is encouraged to celebrate the Holy Mass on 1 September, either within the parish or, where possible, within the local community. This celebration offers an excellent opportunity to raise awareness among the faithful about environmental responsibility and the Gospel call to care for our common home.
Communities may also wish to organise activities throughout the Season of Creation (1 September–4 October), such as:
- moments of prayer and Eucharistic celebration;
- ecological awareness sessions;
- tree-planting and environmental clean-up initiatives;
- reflections on Laudato Si' and Catholic Social Teaching;
- activities involving young people, schools, and parish communities.
Sisters engaged in the ministry of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) are especially encouraged to animate these initiatives and to collaborate with dioceses, parishes, and local organisations wherever possible.
A Call to Hope
The World Day of Prayer for Creation is more than a date on the Church's calendar. It is an invitation to renew our relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation.
As members of the Holy Union family, may we respond generously to this invitation, celebrating the Creator with grateful hearts and witnessing through our lives that caring for creation is an essential part of living the Gospel.
May our prayer lead to action, our celebration inspire conversion, and our commitment help build a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world for future generations.
Resources
Webinar Recording (English)
https://youtu.be/ORWZW8BXucA?si=F19FVQ2aUo03BVxB&t=608
Additional Resources
World Day of Prayer for Creation
https://WorldDayCreation.com
Creation Day Newsletter
https://forms.gle/RXHY2ayvWNwgZBoZ7
