(NB: Novena of St Francis starts on the 25 September to 04th October)

NOVENA FOR THE SEASON OF CREATION
DAY 1 – September 25

“Today, however, we have to realize that a true ecological approach

always becomes a social approach: it must integrate questions of

justice in debates on the environment, so as to hear both the ‘cry of the

earth’ and the ‘cry of the poor’ (LS 49).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you know all things and nothing is hidden from

you. In your mercy and kindness, and through the intercession of Saint

Francis, come to our aid in our present distress and grant our humble petition

(petition for healing of our land). Amen.

Today’s reflection

Reflect on Peace with Creation: “My people shall abide in a peaceful habitation” (Isa 32:18). God’s peace is unconditional, rooted in justice and righteousness for all people and Creation. Peace cannot exist for only a few.

Today’s offering:

“Cry for the poor and the cry for the earth!”- Offer yourself as an instrument of justice and peace.

Conclude with the Our Father and A Prayer for Peace (Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi)

DAY 2 – September 26

“…. we are called to acknowledge ‘our contribution, smaller or greater, to the disfigurement and

destruction of creation’…. For ‘to commit a crime against the natural world is a sin against ourselves

and a sin against God’” (LS 8).

Prayer: Father in heaven, your love for us never falters in spite of our transgressions and failures.

Please show your mercy to us in our difficulty (petition for end of sins against the environment).

Through the intercession of St. Francis and for the sake of Christ, Our Savior, have pity on me. Amen.

Today’s reflection

Reflect on Peace with Creation: “The fruitful field is deemed a forest” (Isa 32:18). God declared all Creation “good”. Despite the damage caused by sin, interconnectedness in created things reflects generosity and abundance. Through Christ, God became human, calling us to learn from, respect and protect Creation.

Today’s offering:

See how you may have caused others and the environment to suffer. Resolve to adopt respect God’s Work of Art.

Conclude with the Our Father and A Prayer for Peace (Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi)

DAY 3 – September 27

“Nonetheless, every little bit helps, and avoiding an increase of a tenth of a degree in the global

temperature would already suffice to alleviate some suffering for many people (LD 70).

Prayer: Loving Father, you are not far from any of us since in you we live, move, and have our being.

Increase our awareness of your presence and through the intercession of Saint Francis take care of the

environment’s pressing need (petition for civil society to stop pollution). Amen.

Today’s reflection

Reflect on Peace with Creation: “The populous city will be deserted” (Isa 32:14). Let us pray and respond to the cries of communities already losing land and livelihood due to floods caused by climate change and pollution.

Today’s offering:

Throughout the day, give your cares and healing of environment to the Lord. Make an offering/donation towards those affected by the floods.

Conclude with the Our Father and A Prayer for Peace (Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi)

DAY 4 – September 28

“The earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth. In many parts

of the planet, the elderly lament that once beautiful landscapes are now covered with rubbish” (LS

21).

Prayer: Father Almighty, your ways and purposes are often hidden from us. Guide us now and through

the intercession of Saint Francis of Assisi, we beg you, in our sorrow, and by your power, let us

know Your will regarding our special need (petition for political will and policies that favour the

environment). Amen.

Today’s reflection

Reflect on Peace with Creation: “Until a spirit from on high is poured upon us” (Isa 32:15). The Spirit is offered to guide us to ecological conversion. We must change our mindset, embrace righteousness, and teach these values to future generations.

Today’s offering:

The Will of God is in repairing the damage. Consider today how you wish to fix the torn pieces of God’s image in the environment. Go out and join others in cleaning the neighbourhood.

Conclude with the Our Father and A Prayer for Peace (Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi)

DAY 5 – September 29

“For this reason, a healthy ecology is also the result of interaction between human beings and the environment, as occurs in the indigenous cultures and has occurred for centuries in different regions of the earth. Human groupings have often “created” an environment, [20] reshaping it in some way without destroying it or endangering it” (LD 27).

Prayer: In You, Heavenly Father, we confidently place our trust. In your hands, we leave all our

anxieties with faith in your care for humanity and the environment. From you, and through the

intercession of Saint Francis of Assisi, we await relief from our present distress (petition for movement

to heal our environment). Amen.

Today’s reflection

Peace with Creation requires proactive steps. Jesus taught repentance and restorative justice. We must repair broken relationships, especially between humans, and humans and the environment, which both affect our relationship with God.

Today’s offering:

Become aware of who has become your enemy. Are you an enemy to God, others or the environment through neglect and ignorance?

Conclude with the Our Father and A Prayer for Peace (Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi)

DAY 6 – September 30

“In the face of possible risks to the environment which may affect the common good now and in the

future, decisions must be made based on a comparison of the risks and benefits foreseen for the various

possible alternatives” (LS 184).

Prayer: Merciful Father, you know our weakness and disobedience. Yet, you are ever ready to forgive

and be gracious to us in our trouble. In Christ’s name and through the intercession of Saint Francis of

Assisi quickly come to our aid (petition for quick implementation of environmental policies and

actions). Amen.

Today’s reflection

Reflect on Peace with Creation: “The effect of righteousness will be peace” (Isa 32:17). While the challenges may seem overwhelming, Christ reminds us: “With God all things are possible” (Mt 19:26). Hope fuels action; through prayer, discernment and commitment, we can create a foundation for a better world.

Today’s offering:

Banish from your mind and tongue unkind words, thoughts and actions toward God’s creatures. Act with love, care and justice!

Conclude with the Our Father and A Prayer for Peace (Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi)

DAY 7 – October 1

Jesus “was able to invite others to be attentive to the beauty that there is in the world because he

himself was in constant touch with nature, lending it an attraction full of fondness and wonder…often

stopped to contemplate the beauty sown by his Father, and invite his disciples to perceive a divine

message in things.” (LD 64).

Prayer: Father in Heaven, you never reject those who seek your help and are ever ready to comfort

the sorrowful. Through the intercession of Saint Francis and in Christ’s name, we implore you to have

pity on us and to rescue creation from all afflictions (petition for nations to become aware of the beauty

of the environment we are losing each day). Amen.

Today’s reflection

God’s peace emerges when we work for justice, solidarity, reconciliation and harmony with all Creation. Transformation takes patience, understanding, and trust.

Today’s offering:

In imitation of Christ and St. Francis; do good to others and to the environment.

Conclude with the Our Father and A Prayer for Peace (Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi)

DAY 8 – October 2

“I ask everyone to accompany this pilgrimage of reconciliation with the world that is our home and to

help make it more beautiful, because that commitment has to do with our personal dignity and highest

values” (LS 69).

Prayer: Your goodness, Heavenly Father, responds speedily to our sorrow. In our distress we call upon

you to hear and answer our prayers (petition for implementation of new strategies). In you, O God, I

will continue to trust despite everything. I ask this request in Christ’s name and through the intercession

of Saint Francis of Assisi. Amen.

Today’s reflection

Action can include advocacy, sustainability projects, cleaning campaigns, or education to show that caring for Creation is central to our Faith. We must collaborate and build on diversity to achieve peace.

Today’s offering:

Identify and join a community forum in your area which is engaged with Care for Creation.

Conclude with the Our Father and A Prayer for Peace (Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi)

DAY 9 – October 3

It is no coincidence that, in the canticle in which Saint Francis praises God for his creatures, he goes

on to say: “Praised be you my Lord, through those who give pardon for your love.” Everything is

connected (LS 91).

Prayer: Gracious Father, we thank you each day for your merciful goodness to creation. With your

help we will ever praise your kindness in our trouble. Please assist us now as I faithfully follow Christ,

our Savior, and call upon the friendship and intercession of Saint Francis of Assisi, by granting our

petition (healing of the creation). Amen.

Today’s reflection

Reflect on Peace with Creation: “The wilderness will become a fruitful field” (Isa 32:15). Peace processes, such as reforestation, river cleaning, or building wells, can unite even divided groups.

Today’s offering:

On the Feast of Saint Francis, be engaged in some activity to remove what destroys and replace it with what enhances the beauty of God’s Creation.

Conclude with the Our Father and A Prayer for Peace (Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi)