Global – The Catholic Liturgical Guide to the Season of Creation 2023 is now available.
From Friday, 1 September to Wednesday, 4 October, on the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the Season of Creation 2023 will be celebrated. The advisory committee for this event has published the Catholic Liturgical Guide for the celebration. Inspired by the Encyclical Laudato Si and the Holy Father's message for this year, the Liturgical Guide offers several materials for living in communion during this vital season of caring for our common home.
Download the English version of the document by clicking here.
In terms of the meaning and mission of this celebration, the text recognises that in the face of the severe and urgent crisis facing our planet, the Season of Creation is a liturgical time dedicated to prayer, reflection and celebration of God as Creator. It also celebrates the gifts of creation and the mission God has entrusted us to care for creation, respond to its needs and crises today, and reflect on them in prayer.
The document opens with a work of art highlighting man's relationship with nature and the theme for this year announced by Pope Francis in his message, "May Peace and Justice Flow". Then the prayer for this year's celebration is proposed. According to the authors, this guide is based on "the hope of bringing spiritual and formative depth to our prayers and liturgical lives, leading to internal and external transformation".
In addition to the Introduction and Preface, which present the background, context and particularity of this year's celebration, several materials are proposed for the five Sundays that will cover the Season of Creation and the celebration of the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi.
For each Sunday, a relationship is established between the theme of the day's Liturgy of the Word and creation. Models of creation themes are suggested for the introductory sign of the Cross, as well as an introductory commentary and suggestions for the penitential rite, the prayers, the final blessing and the prayer over the people of God. Slight changes have also been made to Eucharistic Prayer IV, generally considered the most appropriate for highlighting creation. The offering for each celebration concludes with a selection of music for the Liturgy of the Hours. On the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, only this selection of music is offered, with a brief introduction.
In addition to the liturgical material, the document offers a complementary resource, a reflection on "the non-violent path to ecological justice", and a list of musical references.
While the liturgical guide is primarily intended for Catholic participants in this ecumenical celebration, Christians of other denominations can also draw materials from it to better appreciate and live this season of creation in communion.
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