Feast of St. Francis of Assisi – October 4 – Let Us Pray and Act
Jesus Christ, teach us to empathize with the Earth.
Make our spirits sensitive to the cries of creation, cries for justice
from the land, the seas, and the skies.
Jesus Christ, make our faith sensitive to the groans of the Spirit in creation,
groans of longing for a new creation.
Jesus Christ, make our hearts sensitive to the songs of our kin,
songs of celebration from the sea, the forest, and the air.
Christ, teach us to care.
May the Spirit of God, who is above all and in all and through all,
fill us with the knowledge of God’s presence in Earth
and with the joy of Christ within us. Amen
(Evening Prayer with St. Francis Of Assisi, Franciscan Missionaries of Mary - Philippines)
The grand documentary film, The Letter, will premiere in Vatican City on October 4, the Feast of
St. Francis that closes the Season of Creation. The film tells the story of the Laudato Si’ encyclical letter and the unfolding ecological emergency. It is the fruit of some years of work of the
Laudato Si’ Movement in partnership with Off the Fence (Oscar-winning producers of My Octopus Teacher) and the Vatican. It will be available on YouTube Originals, free of charge, that
same day. Watch it with your family/friends or enjoy it solo.
“We hope the launch will be followed by an ocean-like ripple with screenings around the world
and a campaign to provide concrete tools for communities to take bold action for climate and ecological justice. Moreover, we’ll bring the film to the halls of power—ranging from parliaments all
the way to UN summits as COP27 and COP15—demanding politicians to do better.” (Laudato Si’
Movement)
ACT (Taken from Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet Season of Creation Prayer Journal)
Spend some time reflecting on your choices that lead to ecological sustainability. What impact do
these practices have on your relationship with yourself, your neighbor, and God?
What individual political actions are you willing to make to encourage governments— local,
state, and national—to achieve ecological sustainability and meet the goals of the Paris agreement?
When you purchase goods, be guided not only by your own benefit, but by concern for the common good, the rights of workers, the proper treatment of animals, and the consequences for the
environment.
O Lord, seize us with your power and light. Help us to protect all life, to prepare for a better future, for the coming of your Kingdom of justice, love, and beauty. Praise be to you! Amen.
Original source can be found here.
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