Vocation for Justice: Making Peace in the Season of Creation

Imagine a world where barren lands bloom into vibrant green and peace reigns not only among people but with all creation - this is the vision at the heart of the Season of Creation 2025. Inspired by Isaiah's words - "The effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness, and trust forever. My people will abide in a peaceful habitation" (Isaiah 32:14-18) - this year's theme, 'Peace with Creation', reminds us that true shalom is wholeness: right relationships with God, with one another, and with the Earth itself.

This Autumn edition of Vocation for Justice comes in the Season of Creation (1 September to 4 October), a time internationally of prayer and action for the protection of our common home. The Columban newsletter theme is 'Making Peace in the Season of Creation'. If we listen to the 'cry of the Earth', we cannot help but notice more frequent and intense extreme weather, fires, biodiversity loss, droughts, climate induced conflict, desertification, and migration. Yet, at the same time, we see a new arms race, mounting conflict and huge resources devoted to militarism. The 'signs of the times' are calling us to action. But how?

Ideas are given in the centrespread. These include: Creating gardens and green spaces that cool cities and provide habitat for wildlife; engaging young people in environmental advocacy at local and national levels; adopting for renewable energy in schools, parishes, and communities; and working for peace. There is a link to a Catholic liturgical guide for the Season of Creation, which Columbans helped to produce.

There are details of a special 'Hope for Our Common Home' pilgrimage on 25 September. It has been organised by the Columbans in collaboration with the Laudato Si' Centre in the Diocese of Salford. The pilgrimage is a public and prayerful expression of concern for the environment, echoing 'the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor', as highlighted in 'Laudato Si'. Along the nine-mile route from the Laudato Si' Centre to Salford Cathedral's Temporary Church, pilgrims will engage with pressing environmental challenges of our time, such as biodiversity loss and the climate crisis.

2025 is an important year: 10 years since the Paris Agreement on climate change and the launch of the environmental encyclical 'Laudato Si'. November's upcoming UN Climate Conference COP30, meeting in November and taking place in the Brazilian Amazon, could mark a turning point. The newsletter highlights that Church leaders from the global south recently released a joint statement calling for COP30 to address the need for concrete climate action and financial commitments.

'Vocation for Justice' offers information, formation, ideas and invitation to action, and resources - highlighting relevant responses to 'the cry of the Earth and cry of the Poor.' It is available to download HERE