Season of Creation is a ‘good time’ to renew commitment to life, the environment, says Divine Providence sister

Maura Baker

Staff Writer

In 2015, the late Pope Francis established Sept. 1 as the first World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. This year — now 10 years ago — also marks the publishing of the Laudato Si’ (Praise Be to You) encyclical, which further promotes all people towards stewardship to the planet and natural world.

This devotion to caring for the earth grew in 2019, when Pope Francis encouraged Catholics to participate in the Season of Creation — a month lasting from Sept. 1 to Oct. 4 — a fitting conclusion as the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, patron of ecology. The Season of Creation is an ecumenical celebration — inviting all Christian churches to participate.

Religious sisters, and notably the Sisters of Divine Providence, have a special devotion to the mission of Laudato Si’, and thus, the Season of Creation. According to Divine Providence Sister Kay Kramer, the sisters internationally have committed to the Laudato Si’ action platform, a platform established by the Vatican dicastery that outlines ways to put into action care for the environment. The platform gives seven different goals to help guide dioceses, religious communities and anyone who wishes to involve themselves in the mission.

“Celebrating the Season of Creation is, for us, part and parcel of our commitment to Laudato Si’,” Sister Kay said, with care for the poor and defending human life being their goal of focus for the 2025 year. In their community, the sisters encourage one another to adopt their Laudato Si’ commitment, and a prayer service in October will allow them to celebrate the Season of Creation together.

“Hopefully, the more people learn about Laudato Si’ and the Season of Creation, they will want to get involved,” said Sister Kay. “It’s a great way to introduce young people to caring for the earth and to seeing the connection between living out our faith and that caring … there’s so many Scripture references to creation and caring for the earth … I think it’s integral to our faith.”

Laudato Si’ reaffirmed this aspect of the Catholic faith, Sister Kay said, and thus, “the connection between living our faith and taking care of this beautiful earth that God has given us.”

“As people continue to face challenges with climate disasters and happenings around the world, it’s important for all of us to recognize that we can do things,” Sister Kay concluded, giving examples such as cutting down on waste and conserving energy. “All of those things, which might seem small, they really do make a difference for the earth. The Season of Creation is a good time for all of us to remember that.”

For more information about the Season of Creation, including ways to get involved, visit https://seasonofcreation.org.