Season of Creation – September 1 – October 4, 2025

The Season of Creation challenges the entire Christian family around the world to care for God's creation through prayer and action. In his address for the 10th World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, Pope Leo XIV "denounces environmental and social injustice, noting that God's creation is not intended to be a battleground for vital resources." 

The Season of Creation began on September 1, 1989, when the Ecumenical Patriarch Dimitrios I proclaimed a "Day of Prayer for Creation" for the Orthodox Church. In 2001, it was incorporated into the calendars of numerous important European churches. The Catholic Church formally adopted the Season of Creation in 2015, coinciding with the publication of the encyclical Laudato Si.

"Seeds of Peace and Hope" was chosen by Pope Francis as this year's central theme. This theme emphasizes the possibility of new beginnings and the transformational power of modest actions. The Bible regularly uses the metaphor of seeds to symbolize growth, rebirth, and the potential for hope and peace. These images were inspired by the teachings of Jesus and the prophet Isaiah.

To sow seeds of peace and hope, we must be socially responsible. This call for shared responsibility between humans and the natural world is based on biblical teachings about "tilling and keeping" the land. We must recognize how the environment and disadvantaged communities are harmed by armed conflicts, injustice, and greed.

As Christians, we are called to move from words to deeds, sowing the seeds of justice, peace, and hope with love, perseverance, and cooperation. Taking care of the environment reflects Jesus Christ's humanity and faith.

As pilgrims of hope in the Jubilee Year, let us pray and work to protect and preserve creation and for responsible stewardship of the earth and sustainable living.