April 22 is Earth Day. Print this Prayer Service
As we deepen our awareness of Earth’s fragility, and our complicity in her suffering, we are reminded of Pope Francis’ soul-searing words in Laudato Si’,
“This sister now cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by
our irresponsible use of the goods with which God has endowed her. This is why
the earth herself, burdened and laid waste, is among the most abandoned and
maltreated of our poor; she ‘groans in travail.’ We have forgotten that we our-
selves are dust of the earth ( Gen. 2:7); our very bodies are made up of her elements,
we breathe her air and we receive life and refreshment from her waters.”
In our Congregational Commitment to become a Laudato Si Congregation, we pledge to restore our relationship with Earth by embracing a lifestyle that gives public witness to this commitment. As Earth Day nears, I encourage all of you to take a few moments to pray the attached prayer prepared for you by members of the Addressing Climate Change Committee of the province.
Prayer Service in Contemplation of Earth Day
Gathering Prayer: Live Simply Linda Jones CAFOD
Compassionate and loving God,
you created the world for all of us to share,
a world of beauty and plenty.
Create in us a desire to live simply,
so that our lives may reflect your generosity.
Creator God,
You gave us responsibility for the earth, a
world of riches and delight.
Create in us a desire to live sustainably, so
that those who follow after us
may enjoy the fruits of your creation.
God of peace and justice,
You give us the capacity to change,
to bring about a world that mirrors your
wisdom. Create in us a desire to act in
solidarity,
so that the pillars of injustice crumble
and those now crushed are set free.
Amen.
Scripture Passage: Genesis 1:1-28
Video Meditation: Paul Winter and Diane Burko
Reflection: Laudato Si’ Pope Francis
11. “Francis helps us to see that an integral ecology calls for openness to categories which transcend
the language of mathematics and biology, and take us to the heart of what it is to be human. Just as
happens when we fall in love with someone, whenever he would gaze at the sun, the moon or the
smallest of animals, he burst into song, drawing all other creatures into his praise. He communed with all
creation, even preaching to the flowers, inviting them “to praise the Lord, just as if they were endowed
with reason.” His response to the world around him was so much more than intellectual appreciation or
economic calculus, for to him each and every creature was a sister united to him by bonds of affection.
That is why he felt called to care for all that exists…"
“…If we approach nature and the environment without this openness to awe and wonder, if we no
longer speak the language of fraternity and beauty in our relationship with the world, our attitude will be
that of masters, consumers, ruthless exploiters, unable to set limits on their immediate needs. By
contrast, if we feel intimately united with all that exists, then sobriety and care will well up
spontaneously.”
Excerpt from the encyclical letter, Laudato Si’, from Pope Francis
Questions for Reflection:
- What in your daily landscape inspires awe and wonder?
- How have you experienced loss in your community from the mistreatment of our common home?
- In what ways are you called to care for God’s creation?
Creed: A livesimply creed Written by a group of CAFOD volunteers
We believe…
We believe in God who gave us a world to share in friendship, equality and peace.
We believe in God who created all people and our world out of love. We recognise that the
world is unequal and unjust and that we are individually and collectively responsible for being
good stewards and for working with hope and love to restore God’s kingdom on earth.
We believe in Christ, living, suffering, dying and rising, the life force in the whole of creation.
We believe in one world, one people, fed from one table.
We believe that we are all vital parts of Christ’s body,
reflecting his love, by and through our actions, compassion, attitudes and choices.
We believe we are God’s instruments through which by faith, prayer and action we will change
the world.
We believe in a God of love, who calls all of us to listen to each other, to actively share and
treat each other as equals in humility and hope.
We believe that within God’s circle of love, faith and trust we all share in a worldwide hunger
for justice as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Prayers of the Faithful:
Loving God, creator of the Universe, you know every creature and its needs. With great trust
we offer our petitions in the name of all creation.
Our response is “Creator God, hear our prayer”
That in the midst of our ecological crisis, we pray that people may learn to respect creation and
care for it as a gift of God, let us pray:
Creator God, hear our prayer
That we as communities and individuals grow in awareness of how our use of energy and the
burning of fossil fuel is destroying our planet, let us pray:
Creator God, hear our prayer
That we have the wisdom to choose ways of living which are good for the climate; the needs of
future generations; and the health of the Earth, let us pray:
Creator God, hear our prayer
That the Spirit of God deepen our awareness of the nobility and duty of caring for creation
through small daily acts, let us pray:
Creator God, hear our prayer
That the poor, who are the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, may be
recognized as sisters and brother with dignity by those contributing the most to climate
change, let us pray:
Creator God, hear our prayer
That all may be inspired by the example of St. Francis to make lifestyle choices that are selfless
and sustainable, promote the care and safeguarding of ecosystems, guarantee access to all
basic resources, and encourage practices that respect the fundamental rights of the human
person and of every creature, let us pray:
Creator God, hear our prayer
That we who participate in the Eucharist, offering God the gifts that earth has given and human
hands have made, may be ready and willing to respond to God’s word that calls us to be
prophets of a creation made new in the Passover of Jesus, let us pray:
Creator God, hear our prayer
Closing Prayer: “Canticle of the Sun” St. Francis of Assisi
We praise you, Lord, for all your creatures, especially for Brother Sun, who is the day through
whom you give us light. And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor. Of you Most High,
he bears your likeness.
We praise you, Lord, for Sister Moon and the stars. In the heavens you have made them bright,
precious, and fair.
We praise you, Lord, for Brothers Wind and Air, fair and stormy, and all weather's moods, by
which you cherish all that you have made.
We praise you, Lord, for Sister Water, so useful, humble, precious, and pure.
We praise you, Lord, for Brother Fire, through whom you light the night. He is beautiful, playful,
robust, and strong.
We praise you, Lord, for Sister Earth, who sustains us with her fruits, colored flowers, and herbs.
We praise and bless you, Lord, and give you thanks, and serve you in all humility.
Excerpt from “Canticle of the Sun” by St. Francis of Assisi
