Season of Creation, 2023

Creator God, we thank you for the wonder and beauty of all you have created.
You have created us humans to be protectors and carers of creation.
Yet we are the ones now spoiling the works of your hand.
Your son Jesus Christ is still suffering and dying in the suffering earth and suffering poor.
Forgive us our sins against your creation and against the poor of the world.
We join with all of creation in thanking you and praising you.
We thank you, Creator God, for all the good things we enjoy.
Help us to live more simply. Give us the courage you gave to the Apostles on the day of Pentecost to proclaim and advocate for the care of our common home and the poor.

– Taken from Laudato Si’ Prayerbook

The Season of Creation has a special significance for the Catholic Church, particularly since Pope Francis established 1 September as an annual World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. The Season of Creation is marked throughout the Christian world from 1 September to 4 October (Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi) and celebrates the joy of creation as well as encouraging awareness-raising initiatives to protect the natural environment.

This year’s theme is “Let Justice and Peace Flow” taking inspiration from the Prophet Amos who declares: “Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5: 24). And so we are called to join the river of justice and peace, to take up climate and ecological justice, and to speak out with and for communities most impacted by climate injustice and the loss of biodiversity. As the people of God, we must work together on behalf of all Creation, as part of that mighty river of peace and justice. Further resources and information can be found at: www.seasonofcreation.org

Video Reflection of Pope Francis’ Message for Season of Creation 2023: “When we “seek first the kingdom of God” (Mt 6:33), maintaining a right relationship with God, humanity and nature, then justice and peace can flow like a never-failing stream of pure water, nourishing humanity and all creatures.”

THE CREATION WALK
Launching in Autumn 2023 – Date TBC

“God has written a precious book.
Its letters are the multitude of created things.
Creation is a continuing revelation of the Divine.”
– Laudato Si

Our new Creation Walk will be launched later in the Autumn to coincide with the ‘Season of Creation’.
On the ‘Creation Walk’, you are invited to embark on a journey through beautiful, peaceful wooded areas of Knock Shrine grounds. The Creation Walk has its roots in the booklet by Fr. Brian Grogan SJ, ‘Creation Walk: The Amazing Story of a Small Blue Planet’ and the simple idea of bringing you, our visitors and pilgrims, further into nature, to connect with the natural environment in all is glory, to take time to appreciate the wonder of God’s creation, to take time in your day to admire the wonderful variety of trees, shrubs and flowers and to hear birdsong echo an accompanying tune to your footsteps.