Friar Ed Debono on World Day of Prayer

Sept. 1, the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, marked the beginning of the Season of Creation.  It extends to Oct. 4th, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.  During this time Christians of all different faith communities will unite in prayer and action on behalf of creation and our planet and invite everyone to participate.

Pope Francis began his encyclical on "Care of our Common Home." with words "Laudate Si', me Signore."  "Praise be to you, my Lord", the first few words in Italian of the Canticle of the Creatures.  

In the Canticle of the Creatures, St. Francis reminds us that our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life.  Our common home is also like a mother who opens her arms to all. "Praise be to you, my Lord, through our Sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us and who procures various fruits with coloured flowers and herbs."  

                     Mother Earth is crying out to us because of the harm we have                                                inflicted on her by our irresponsible use.

Mother Earth is crying out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by our irresponsible use.  Humankind is abusing the natural goods of Mother Earth which God, our Creator, has, endowed her.

We have misunderstood for too long a time, the Book of Genesis and have translated the message to give us dominion over the earth.  A misunderstanding that has to be undone.  

We have come to see ourselves as masters of minerals, fossil fuels, forests and water.  We see governments, corporations and businesses as being entitled to plunder Mother Earth wherever, whenever and however they will.  

The face of Mother Earth is wounded by fires to clear the forests for profit, by mercury deposited in our waterways, fossil fuel smoke polluting the air.  All these destructive practices affect water, air, land and all forms of life, plants, creatures of the sea, animals, birds and human life.  

Because the earth is being mistreated we are experiencing climate change.

Unite in prayer and action on behalf of creation and our planet and invite everyone to participate.
        

Friar Ed Debono, OFM Conv.