Faith & Ecology

 

 

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS
POPE LEO XIV
FOR THE 10th WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
FOR THE CARE OF CREATION 2025

[1 September 2025]

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Seeds of Peace and Hope

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

The theme of this World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, chosen by our beloved Pope Francis, is “Seeds of Peace and Hope”. On the tenth anniversary of the establishment of this Day of Prayer, which coincided with the publication of the Encyclical Laudato Si’, we find ourselves celebrating the present Jubilee as “Pilgrims of Hope.” This year’s theme thus appears most timely. 

To keep reading click here...

 

 

Creation Care, Ecology, Laudato si: Learn, Act Reflect

A Catholic response to the call of Laudato Si’ — to care for our common home with faith, action, and hope.

 

The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development was created on August 17, 2016 from the union of four Pontifical Councils, according to the wishes that our Holy Father Pope Francis expressed in his Apostolic Letter, under the form of a Motu Proprio, Humanam Progressionem.

The four Councils are the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, the Pontifical Council Cor Unum and the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers.

The new Dicastery is called to express the Church’s solicitude in the fields of justice, peace, the safeguarding of all of Creation, as well as in those that concern health and works of charity.

 

Ecology - Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development

1. Learn & Reflect

We invite you to explore the spiritual and moral foundations of ecological care in our Catholic tradition.
Includes:

  • Key Church documents

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    •  
    • (Laudato Si’, Fratelli Tutti, etc.)

  • Reflections, prayers, and Scripture passages

  • Curated articles, videos, and study guides

  • In October and November 2022, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB)'s Office for Evangelization and Catechesis hosted a webinar series, titled Special Topics in Evangelization and Catechesis, inviting leaders of catechesis and evangelization to participate in a national discussion on special topics of interest to evangelizers and catechists today. A call to take stock and reflect on the challenges of today, the four recorded sessions of the Special Topics webinar series provide starting points for:

    • Discussion on our call to be missionary disciples;
    • Reflection on synodality in ministry;
    • Conversation about Pope Francis’ Apostolic Visit to Canada and solidarity with Indigenous peoples;
    • Reflection on our call to be stewards of Creation. ( linked below is Session 4: Creation as a Source of Life and Our Call to Care for It) with Fr. John MCCarthy, SJ

Session 4: Creation as a Source of Life and Our Call to Care for It

Keynote: Fr. John McCarthy, SJ

Reflection Guide

  1. How does the Trinity call us to a depth of relationship with Creation?
  2. How does our care for Creation unite us to the Trinity?
  3. What are some examples of valuable facets of Creation, local to me, which are at risk of disappearing because of their other potential ‘uses’? (eg. forests, bodies of water, etc.)
  4. Pope Francis tells us that “if we feel intimately united with all that exists, then sobriety and care will well up spontaneously” (LS’ 11).

What are some examples in my life of closeness that result in spontaneous sobriety and care?

How might I concretely extend this kind of thoughtfulness and care to Creation in my home, in my community, in the world?

  1. Fr. McCarthy reminds us that the “loss of boundaries unsettles us” because “without an ‘outside’ there is no ‘inside’ in which to dwell”.

What habitats or protected places are important to me?

How might I more fully embrace these places as they exist in Creation around me?

  1. Fr. McCarthy tells us that “care for nature implies a rootedness” and that “nature is a place and a purveyor of meaning.” Further, Pope Francis tells us, “Rather than a problem to be solved, the world is a joyful mystery to be contemplated with gladness and praise” (LS’ 12).

Is my knowledge of nature knowledge about nature (abstract, objective, generalizable, or expert knowledge) or is it place-based knowledge of nature (subjective, bodily, living, sensing)?

How can I foster place-based knowledge of nature? How can I contemplate the joyful mystery of Creation with gladness and praise?

 

  • New Mass Formulary: For the Care of Creation

His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV has approved a new Mass formulary for the Roman Missal and ordered that it be promulgated. Missa pro Custodia Creationis (“For the Care of Creation”) will be added as a Mass for Various Needs and Occasions.

In a July 3 press conference, Cardinal Michael Czerny, S.J.  (Prefect of the Dicastery for the Promotion of Human Development) and Msgr. Vittorio Francesco Viloa, OFM (Secretary of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments) announced the release of this addition to the Roman Missal.  Cardinal Czerny spoke of the history behind and the rationale for the Mass formulary and Msgr. Viola walked through the texts and the readings. The Prefect of the DPIHD added that the Mass for the Care of Creation “calls us to be faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to us—in our daily choices and in public policy, as well as in prayer, worship, and the way we live in the world.”

The complete, forty-two minute video of this press conference may be found here. English translation is provided.

As is typical, the Mass texts have been released in Latin.  Of course, it is the right and duty of episcopal conferences throughout the world to provide the official translation, but the  DDWDS has released some working translations in order to make the work of translation easier. https://fdlc.org/2025/07/new-mass-formulary-for-the-care-of-creation/

 

  • Catholic Movements & Organizations

    • Development and Peace – Canadian Catholic solidarity organization working for global justice.

    • Laudato Si’ Movement – A global Catholic network promoting ecological conversion and climate justice.

    • Catholics for Climate Action – Empowering Catholics to take meaningful climate action rooted in faith.

2. Parish Toolkit

Resources to help your parish community live out integral ecology.
Includes:

  • Eco-friendly event planning tips

  • Green audit checklists for parish buildings

  • Bulletin inserts and liturgical resources

  • Seasonal creation care initiatives (e.g. Season of Creation)

3. Grow in Action

Practical ways to integrate faith and ecology into everyday life.
Includes:

  • Lifestyle changes inspired by Laudato Si’

  • Study groups and faith formation resources

  • Stories of ecological action from other parishes and individuals

  • Campaigns and petitions you can support

4. Events & News

Stay connected to current initiatives in our parish, diocese, and beyond.
Includes:

  • Upcoming events and workshops

  • Local eco-initiatives

  • Diocesan and global Catholic ecology news

5. Catholic Partners in Action 

Discover Catholic organizations leading the way in ecological conversion and climate justice.
Quick Links & Descriptions:

  • Development and Peace – Caritas Canada
    Working to support social and environmental justice around the world through solidarity, advocacy, and education.

  • Laudato Si’ Movement
    Mobilizing the global Catholic community to care for our common home, guided by the spirit of Laudato Si’.

  • Catholics for Climate Action
    A network providing tools, campaigns, and support to help Catholics put their faith into environmental action.

  • Catholic Climate Covenant
  • Homepage | Catholic Climate Covenant

 

Let me know if you’d like this formatted for a webpage, printed handout, or social media graphic!

Laudato si - Care for Our Common Home - 10 Years! 2025

Curated Resources & Learning

“Explore Laudato Si’ and Catholic Ecology”

  • Articles, videos, Church teachings, and encyclicals

  • Practical guides for parishes and individuals

  • Toolkits from Catholic ecological organizations

Family & Parish Action

“Living Laudato Si’ at Home and in Community”

  • Eco-friendly ideas for families and faith groups

  • Seasonal actions: Lent, Creation Season, Advent

  • Green parish initiatives and success stories

Prayer & Reflection

“Spirituality of Creation”

  • Prayers, reflections, and liturgical resources

  • Rosary and Stations of the Cross for Creation

  • Saints and spiritual figures connected to ecology

 

Events & Opportunities

“Upcoming Events and Ways to Get Involved”

  • “Season of Creation,” an ecumenical initiative to be celebrated from 1 September to 4 October 2025.

        website: Season of Creation

  • Diocesan ecology events and prayer services

  • Volunteer opportunities and clean-up days

  • Global Catholic events (e.g., Laudato Si’ Week)

Organizations & Networks

“Who’s Walking With Us?”

  • Catholic and interfaith ecological groups

  • Links to local, national, and international partners

  • Laudato Si’ Movement and Creation Care Teams


Faith Education