September 1 - Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation in the Catholic Church - Christian Prayer for Union with Creation from Laudato Si, Written by Pope Francis

In 2015, Pope Francis established the Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation for the Catholic Church. through the Church’s Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity.  This day of prayer is celebrated each year on September 1.  This unites our Catholic day of prayer with the world day of prayer for the care of creation establish under the Patriarch of the Orthodox Church in 1989. 

“A Christian prayer for union with creation” was published in Pope Francis’ encyclical letter, Laudato Si. This prayer calls all Christians to pray for the desire to care for creation that is set out before us in Christ’s Gospel message. Let us pray:

Father, we praise you with all your creatures.

They came forth from your all-powerful hand;

they are yours, filled with your presence and your tender love.

Praise be to you, Son of God, Jesus,

through you all things were made.

You were formed in the womb of Mary our Mother,

You became part of this earth,

and you gazed upon this world with human eyes.

Today you are alive in every creature

in your risen glory.

Praise be to you, Holy Spirit, by your light

you guide this world towards the Father’s love

and accompany creation as it groans in travail.

You also dwell in our hearts

and you inspire us to do what is good.

Praise be to you, Triune Lord,

wondrous community of infinite love,

teach us to contemplate you

in the beauty of the universe,

for all things speak of you.

Awaken our praise and thankfulness

for every being that you have made.

Give us the grace to feel profoundly joined

to everything that is. 

God of love, show us our place in this world

as the channels of your love

for all creatures of this earth,

for not one of them is forgotten in your sight.

Enlighten those who possess power and money

that they may avoid the sin of indifference,

that they may love the common good,

advance the weak,

and care for this world in which we live.

The poor and the earth are crying out.

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, peace, love and beauty.

Praise be to you!

Amen.