World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation
Monday, 1st September
Pope Francis established the first of September as the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, encouraging the Catholic community around the world to pray for our common home. This year's theme, chosen by Pope Francis, is Seeds of Peace and Hope. This is the tenth anniversary of the establishment of the Day of Prayer and the publication of 'Laudato Si' (Pope Francis's encyclical letter 'on care for our common home'), which begins as follows:
“LAUDATO SI’, mi’ Signore” – “Praise be to you, my Lord”. In the words of this beautiful canticle, Saint Francis of Assisi reminds us that our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us. “Praise be to you, my Lord, through our Sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and who produces various fruit with coloured flowers and herbs”.
This World Day of Prayer also marks the beginning of the Season of Creation, from the first of September to the fourth of October, the feast of St Francis of Assisi.
