THE WORD DAY OF PRAYER FOR CREATION September 1st
“They shall beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks” (Is 2:4) is the theme of Pope Leo XIV’s Message for the day. This highlights the connection between armed conflict and environmental degradation. Such degradation constitutes both a serious violation of our duty to care for creation, as well as a long-term threat to the lives of hundreds of millions of people. The now widespread awareness of the impact of war on natural resources has not led to the creation of adequate institutions or to responsible decisions aimed at preventing conflicts and resolving disputes peacefully. The title — a passage in which Isaiah prophesies the transformation of weapons into agricultural tools — is an explicit invitation to prioritize development and sustainability over violence and destruction.
Following from this special day THE SEASON OF CREATION has developed into an extended month of ecumenical observances until Sunday October 4th The Feast of St Francis of Assisi which this year marks 800 years since St Francis died.
The Biblical text for the Season of Creation this year is drawn from Ezekiel 47: 1- 12, which portrays God’s life-giving water flowing from the temple of God. The river grows deeper and deeper restoring barren land, reviving waters, and sustaining flourishing ecosystems. The vision invites human responsibility. Recognising ecological damage, embracing interconnectedness, we are called to immerse ourselves in the water, and actively to safeguard and work for the renewal of creation so that environmental healing and human well-being may flourish together. The symbol also encourages us to immerse ourselves in the tears of creation, that is to allow our hearts to be touched by those suffering particularly from environmental degradation, as well as the suffering of all creation.
(Extract from 'Mouth Peace' the NATIONAL JUSTICE AND PEACE NETWORK newsletter, Autumn 2026)