As the earth cycles annually through its seasons, so too does the Church distinguish different seasons of the year. It marks these revolving liturgical seasons with intention, changing color, incense, music, prayers and scripture to give form and meaning to the time. We come to depend on these seasons, transformed by their consistent yet renewing rhythm.
The Liturgical Calendar invites us to immerse ourselves in the life and teaching of Christ. Throughout the year, each season offers a distinct summons. Advent is a quiet season addressing expectation, waiting, and hope. Lent invites us to reflect on repentance and forgiveness—calling us to recommit to prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Throughout the Liturgical Calendar, there is an invitation to embrace a meaningful and structured journey into the life of Christ—growing in the love of God.
In 2015, Pope Francis brought the Catholic Church into unity with other Eastern and Western Christian Churches by establishing the “Season of Creation” for the Catholic Church. This Season of Creation begins on September 1, the World Day of Prayer for Care of Creation, and ends on October 4, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. This Season of Creation offers an opportunity to join Christians around the world in prayer and action to celebrate the gift of Creation and to help protect it.
The Basilica of Saint Mary has long sought to be good stewards of creation. In prayer and action, we have worked to create individual and institutional changes to find solidarity, care, and respect for all of life.
Celebrate The Basilica’s First Season of Creation!
This year, The Basilica is going to join Christians throughout the world and engage the Season of Creation in more intentional and varied ways. Look for themes in Liturgical music and prayers throughout the month of September. Look for opportunities to reflect, pray, learn, and act for our Common Home—our planet Earth.
There will be a Speaker Series offered after 9:30 Mass to ground our understanding in our faith, challenge us in our actions, and offer hope for our world. There will be opportunities to experience the contemplative prayer of Lectio Divina outside with nature—a unique and powerful prayer we’re calling Terra Divina.
Behind the scenes, The Basilica has invited a local organization to examine our facilities and energy use and provide a holistic energy audit. We look forward to sharing the results of this audit with you, our parishioners. Join us on Friday, October 4th to help The Basilica identify goals and create a Basilica Climate Action Plan. To learn more about these Basilica initiatives, go to www.mary.org/creationjustice.
The theme for the global Season of Creation 2024 is “To hope and act with Creation.” This September, let us embrace this new Season of Creation in our Church. Let us be transformed by the Gospel message as seen through creation, and united by the concern for our planet and every living thing that dwells on it—especially the most vulnerable—in all facets of our lives.
Pope Francis offers us this prayer to guide our time: “…Triune Lord, wondrous community of infinite love, teach us to contemplate you in the beauty of the universe, for all things speak of you. Awaken our praise and thankfulness for every being that you have made. Give us the grace to feel profoundly joined to everything that is… Amen”
May we rejoice in this opportunity to learn about and care for our common home, and all beings who share it. Together, may we be transformed by the Spirit.
Janice Andersen
Director of Christian Life
Prayer for the Care of Creation
God of all creation,
How splendid and majestic is the world you created!
It reveals your glory; it teaches us about you.
When you made us in your image,
you gave us this command:
care for the world and for all the creatures in it,
for this is our common home.
Yet your holy creation cries out,
for our home is “burdened and laid waste,”
scorched and scarred.1
Come among us
that we might remember our interdependence.
Let us see the face of your Son in those who suffer
from the destruction of our common home.
Help us to be stewards
who honor you in the world you have made
for the good of all creation
and for future generations.
May your justice reign forever!
Amen.