5460(II)_The 'Season of Creation' started on 1 September 2020
September 02, 2020
Vatican, 2 September 2020 -- SEASON OF CREATION 2020 is an annual ecumenical event held from 1 September to 4 October, and is meant to be a time of prayer and action in favour of our ‘common home’. This year’s focus is to consider the integral relationship between rest for the Earth and ecological,economic, social and political ways of living. The theme of Season of Creation 2020 is – 'Jubilee for the Earth'.
The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Batholomew I, says:
“It is a shared conviction that, in our time, the natural environment is threatened like never before in the history of humankind.” While modern advances have provided great benefits, they can also prove destructive if misused....
“Protection of the common good, of the integrity of the natural environment, is the common responsibility of all the inhabitants of the earth.” However, while many individuals and communities have shown their commitment to ecology, “nations and economic agents” have been unable to make decisions for the good of the environment..."
Pope Francis in his message to the 'Season of Creation' (Sept 1) concludes:
"We see the gradual emergence of a great mobilization of people from below and from the peripheries who are generously working for the protection of the land and of the poor. We rejoice to see how young people and communities, particularly indigenous communities, are on the frontlines in responding to the ecological crisis. They are calling for a Jubilee for the earth and a new beginning, aware that “things can change” (Laudato Si, 13).
We also rejoice to see how the Laudato Si’ Special Anniversary Year is inspiring many initiatives at local and global levels for the care of our common home and the poor. This year should lead to long-term action plans to practise integral ecology in our families, parishes and dioceses, religious orders, our schools and universities, our healthcare, business and agricultural institutions, and many others as well.
We rejoice too that faith communities are coming together to create a more just, peaceful and sustainable world. We are particularly happy that the Season of Creation is becoming a truly ecumenical initiative. Let us continue to grow in the awareness that we all live in a common home as members of a single family."
These five weeks are a special chance to get involved, don't miss this opportunity to work on the last (8th) point of the Rector Major' s 'Action Program for the Salesian Congregation 2020-2026' - Accompanying the Young People towards a sustainable future, with his Proposal: 'Listening to the worldwide cry of so many young people today, WE SALESIANS COMMIT ourselves to BEING CREDIBLE WITNESSES, personally and as a community, of CONVERSION in caring for Creation and Ecological Spirituality.' (Laudato Si. 217).
We are invited to join in this season with prayer, reflection, deeper awareness, sharing and simple action in our own community, educational institution, parish, youth centre or family.
