In a global display of faith and environmental stewardship, Claretian communities around the world have joined hands to mark the Season of Creation, a month-long celebration dedicated to prayer, reflection, and concrete actions for the conservation and protection of the planet’s precious ecology.
The St. Thomas Province of the Claretians in India kicked off the Season of Creation with a heartfelt prayer gathering at St. Claret Training Centre in Josepuram, Kerala. The event, organized by Fr. Lijo Thundyil, CMF, the JPIC promoter of the Province, set the stage for a series of initiatives aimed at safeguarding our environment.
A Global Ecumenical Celebration: The Season of Creation, an ecumenical global celebration, was initiated in 1989 when Ecumenical Patriarch Dimitros I proclaimed September 1 as a day of Prayer for Creation. This initiative gained momentum when the World Council of Churches (WCC) extended the celebration until October 4, the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. In 2015, Pope Francis officially recognized the Season of Creation for the Roman Catholic Church, promoting communion with the Earth and unity among all Christians. This year’s theme, ‘Let Justice and Peace Flow,’ draws inspiration from the words of the Prophet Amos: “Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream” (Amos 5:24).
Invitation to the Claretian Family: In a spirit of unity, the Claretian Family worldwide received an invitation to participate in this month-long celebration. A prayer-reflection, prepared by Fr. Efrain Vasquez, CMF, was shared at the start of the Season (which can be accessed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1s0e_mf0KaGYFS-1oggzaS_jo3fw6Y-hEateBqaqpiuw/edit) fostering a sense of togetherness among Claretians. Sri Lankan Claretians actively engaged in the Season, participating in the online Opening Global Prayer Service. They also organized Season of Creation prayers in their formation houses and provided training to sisters.
Taking Action Globally: Claretian Missionaries from various parts of the world are actively pursuing ecological initiatives. Fr. Casimir Mevoungou, CMF, the JPIC promoter of Cameroun, conducted a seminar on caring for creation among novices. In Honduras, Fr. Cesar Espinoza, CMF, in collaboration with the National Commission for Integral Ecology, raised awareness through a short video and distributed informative flyers (the video can be accessed here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TpCd8Na938ADfeKbZIEua_cIXbKn2JCx/view?usp=drivesdk). Bro. Franco Torres, CMF, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, planned a month-long program on ecological care and education. In Indonesia, the Claretians focused on ecological education, while in Mexico, they prepared meaningful celebrations for the Season of Creation.
Every leaf mediates God:
Pope Francis says that the crises faced by the people and planet today,
“are not two separate crises, one environmental and the other social, but rather with one complex crisis which is both social and environmental. Strategies for a solution demand an integrated approach to combating poverty, restoring dignity to the excluded, and at the same time protecting nature“(Laudato Si 139).
Such solutions are not mundane but they are sacraments. Because there is mystical meaning to be found in a leaf, in a dewdrop, in a poor person’s face (LS 233). Each creature bears in itself a specifically Trinitarian structure (LS 239) and they mediate the supernatural life and so they are Sacraments (cf. LS 235).
Together:
This ecological dimension of evangelisation requires solidarity; neither the people nor the government alone can promote socio-environmental balance. It can be achieved only with collaboration of the people and governments.
While appreciating the Claretian communities which have already commenced the celebration, the other communities and apostolates are encouraged to discover, live and care for the goodness of the Lord in the wonders of Creation.
Source: Fr. S. Vincent Anesthasiar, CMF, JPIC General Secretary
