Season of Caring for Creation: Sept. 15-20
Pope Francis recently proclaimed September 1 as a World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation as the Orthodox Church has done since 1989, to “draw from our rich spiritual heritage the reasons which feed our passion for the care of creation.”
This opens the Season of Caring for Creation which ends on October 4, the Solemnity of St. Francis of Assisi.
As our Seraphic Founder, St. Francis gives us a model to imitate, celebrate and reflect on as the Patron of Ecology and author of the Canticle of the Creatures. Each week there will be specific prayers, readings and reflections.
These materials were created by Carolyn Townes, OFS, National Animator, Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water, which is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you light the night
and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.
Call to Prayer: All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures. You embrace with your tenderness all that exists. Pour out upon us the power of your love, that we may protect life and beauty. Encourage us in our struggle for justice, love and peace. We thank you for being with us each day. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Reading: Prior to the cauterizing of the veins between Francis’ eyes and ears, he spoke thus to the fire: ‘My brother fire, that surpasses all other things in beauty, the Most High created you strong, beautiful, and useful. Be kind to me in this hour, be courteous. For I have loved you in the past in the Lord. I beseech the great Lord who made you that he temper your heat now so that I may bear it when you burn me gently.’ When his prayer was ended, he made the sign of the cross over the fire and then remained fearless. (Adapted from Celano, Second Life of St. Francis)
Moment of Contemplation (Take some time in silence): “As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O God.” (Psalm 42:2)
Reflection Question: What would I be willing to bless that I have previously feared or scorned?
Think about the precious wonder of water – from your Baptism to the shower you took this morning. Thank God for this gift and ask the Holy Spirit to help you to be a good steward of the gifts that reveal God’s love for us.
Prayer for the Week: All-powerful God, Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain at the expense of the poor and the earth. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
https://secularfranciscansusa.org/2020/09/14/season-of-caring-for-creation-sept-14-21/
Season of Caring for Creation: Sept. 1-Oct. 4
Pope Francis recently proclaimed September 1 as a World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation as the Orthodox Church has done since 1989, to “draw from our rich spiritual heritage the reasons which feed our passion for the care of creation.”
This opens the Season of Caring for Creation which ends on October 4, the Solemnity of St. Francis of Assisi.
As our Seraphic Founder, St. Francis gives us a model to imitate, celebrate and reflect on as the Patron of Ecology and author of the Canticle of the Creatures. Each week there will be specific prayers, readings and reflections.
These materials were created by Carolyn Townes, OFS, National Animator, Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation
Week 2: Sept. 7-13
Praise be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars, in heaven you formed them clear and precious and beautiful.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind, and through the air, cloudy and serene, and every kind of weather through which You give sustenance to Your creatures.
All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures. You embrace with your tenderness all that exists. Pour out upon us the power of your love, that we may protect life and beauty. Encourage us in our struggle for justice, love and peace. We thank you for being with us each day. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever. (Luke 1: 46-55)
Moment of Contemplation (Take some time in silence.)
“The earth is the Lord’s and all it holds, the world and those who dwell in it. For he founded it on the seas, established it over the rivers.” (Psalm 24:1-2)
Reflection Question: How can I show mercy to my brothers and sisters and all of creation?
Action for the Week: Consider Meatless Mondays – think about the benefits of abstaining another day from meat for yourself and for the environment.
Prayer for the Week: All-powerful God, Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the world and not prey on it, that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
https://secularfranciscansusa.org/2020/09/07/season-of-caring-for-creation-sept-1-oct-4/