Pope Leo XIV holds his crosier as he celebrates Mass "for the care of creation" on the grounds of the Borgo Laudato Si' ecology center in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, July 9, 2025. The vestments Pope Leo is wearing were new and made by Chicago-based House of Hansen. (CNS photo/Cristian Gennari, pool)The Vatican-sponsored celebration of the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation on Sept. 1 marks the start of the ecumenical Season of Creation.
This season concludes on Oct. 4, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan order and patron saint of ecology. This year, the Jubilee Year of Hope, also marks the 10th anniversary of the papal encyclical “Laudato Si’.”
The World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation offers Catholics an opportunity to “renew our personal participation in this vocation as custodians of creation,” the late Pope Francis said in his announcement for the special day of prayer in 2015.
The theme for the 2025 World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation is “Seeds of Peace and Hope,” inspired by Isaiah 32.
You can read Pope Leo XIV’s statement at https://tinyurl.com/49ffvkyv. “Laudato Si’,” the 2015 encyclical of Pope Francis, can be found at www.ccdoc.org.
Visit www.ccdoc.org/education to view details on outdoor events Oct. 3 in Asheville and Oct. 4 in Charlotte, as well as information about the Mass for Care of Creation that will be celebrated by Father Patrick Cahill, pastor of St. Matthew Catholic Church, at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4.
This celebration, a new formulary of the Roman Missal dedicated to the care for creation, was first celebrated by Pope Leo XIV on July 9.
— Joseph T. Purello
HIGH POINT — The Vietnamese communities of Immaculate Heart of Mary and Christ the King came together for a special Mass Aug. 17 to celebrate Our Lady of La’Vang, the patroness of Vietnam.
Father Joseph Dinh, pastor of Christ the King, presided over the Mass that was offered in both English and Vietnamese. The Vietnamese choir of Christ the King coordinated the musical arrangement.
“This was the very first time I prayed in the Vietnamese language,” Father Patrick O’Connor, pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary, said. “The Mass, the beautiful music, and the devotion and solemnity of the people in prayer made this one of our most powerful religious experiences this year.”
— Photos provided
