For general information go to https://marfam.org.za/laudato-si-2/

THE ECUMENICAL SEASON OF CREATION – 1 SEPTEMBER – 4 OCTOBER 2026

The season was initiated in the Eastern Orthodox church in 1989 and has been supported by many churches over the years, from 2019 including the Catholic Church.  It offers a range of suggestions, resources, liturgical celebrations, and a possible blessing of animals, pets, domestic and wild, around feast of St Francis. Visit   www.seasonofcreation.org

The season begins on 1 September with the Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation proposed by Pope Francis and approved by Pope Leo XIV.  A liturgy for a special Mass has also been approved.  Download from www.sacbc.org.za  Our  common prayer and action can support us as we lament the individuals, communities, species, and ecosystems that are lost, and those whose livelihoods are threatened by habitat loss, climate change and conflicts. The overall action is a response to the Cry of the Earth and the Cry of the Poor. 

2026 ECOMUNICAL SEASON OF CREATION SYMBOL AND LOGO.   Our Biblical text for this year is drawn from Ezekiel 47: 1- 12, which portrays God’s life-giving water flowing from the temple of God. The river grows deeper and deeper restoring barren land, reviving waters, and sustaining flourishing ecosystems. The vision invites human responsibility: recognising ecological damage, embracing interconnectedness, we are called to immerse ourselves in the water, and actively safeguarding and working for the renewal of creation so that environmental healing and human well-being may flourish together. The symbol call is for transformation – that Christians would be immersed in the living water flowing from the throne of God, stepping in deeper and deeper, inspired by the Spirit of God, working together for the renewal of Creation.

POPE LEO 2026 Theme and message: “They shall beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks” (Isaiah 2:4).The message to be released for 1 September. Its core focus :

  • Connection to War: Highlights the direct link between armed conflicts and severe environmental degradation.
  • Violation of Duty: Frames ecological destruction from war as a serious violation of the moral duty to care for the Earth.
  • Threat to Humanity: Warns that the environmental fallout of conflicts poses a long-term threat to hundreds of millions of people.
  • Call for Sustainability: Uses Isaiah’s prophecy to invite global leaders to prioritize human development, peace, and sustainability over violence and destruction.

MARFAM INTRODUCTION SEPTEMBER.  Our World of Families and Season of Creation.  Newer insights in Church thinking expressed by Pope Francis in Laudato si – Care of our Common Home, are the awareness of all of creation and our responsibility for it.  His vision was reinforced in LAUDATE DEUM.  The vision  is taken up in the MARFAM annual theme OUR WORLD, A FAMILY OF FAMILIES.  We, the various forms of the human family, with different religions, political ideologies and experiences of wealth and poverty are the greatest threat to our world’s security and stability today.  Every other family in creation will suffer because of our actions. Is this the heritage we want to leave to our children?  How can our harmful attitude be redeemed during the ecumenical  season.  Pope Francis: : Human beings too are creatures of this world, enjoying a right to life and happiness, and endowed with unique dignity. We cannot fail to consider the effects on people’s lives of environmental deterioration, current models of development and a throwaway culture. LS 43 Culture is more than what we have inherited from the past; it is also, a living dynamic and participatory present reality, which cannot be excluded as we rethink the relationship between human beings and the environment. LS143

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

September 1.   LISTEN TO THE CRY OF THE  POOR.    (From Becoming Eco-Friendly Families)

Families are asked to reflect and share together. Who are the poor? Jesus, in his Beatitudes – his blueprint for life – said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  Is poverty an attitude, a spiritual vision of life, or is it material, having little or nothing by way of resources?  Are these different aspects of poverty?  Disadvantaged, disenfranchised and homeless people are often hopeless and even helpless. They may have little except their own selves and yet have the same dignity of the children of God as those with more material possessions. 

Saint Mother Teresa, the most recognised champion of the poor, worked tirelessly with her sisters caring for the destitute in Calcutta, providing food and care for the sick and dying. She said that the greatest poverty is in the world is to feel unloved. St Francis chose and embraced poverty as a treasure, like Mother Teresa showing how a passionate love of God is an antidote against poverty.  But what is a child crying for, who is forced to go to bed hungry, as there is no food or water in their shack for her or her brothers and sisters?  Is it love, or is it a simple piece of bread, maybe with jam or peanut butter and a cup of water?  Are the poor the mothers or fathers with no work or shelter, desperate to care for their children? Are the poor crying out of resentment, out of pain or misery?

Reflect, share, act. Scripture:  Jesus said, “the Spirit of the Lord is upon me, he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. Luke 4:16-30.  Pope Francis: The human environment and the natural environment deteriorate together. The gravest effects of all attacks on the environment (by humanity) are suffered by the poorest. Our world has a grave social debt towards the poor who lack access to drinking water, because they are denied the right to a life consistent with their inalienable dignity. LS 30. A sense of deep communion with the rest of nature cannot be real if our hearts lack tenderness. Love is more than just a series of benevolent actions. Our love for others for who they are moves us to seek the best for their lives. FT 94. Eco-tip. Prayerfully consider: The poor should be directly involved and take responsibility in addressing the issue of poverty, which should not only be a case of handouts and decisions by those in power and church leadership.  How can each family take responsible action? 

DAILY FAMILY PRAYER from Season of Creation 2026.  May God our Father, who brought water from a rock, sustain us in the desert. May Christ our Lord, who is Living Water, refresh us for the work of restoration.  May the Holy Spirit carry us on currents of grace until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Amen. St Francis guide and inspire us on our way.