Prayer and action for Earth Day 2020
Today marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day and the 5th anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment: “Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home.”
During this time of global pandemic, we have become ever more aware that we belong to one another and to all of creation. The common good is not an abstract concept for a future day, but a concrete, actionable reality that we are called to incarnate daily through our care for our families, our neighbors, our communities and our world.
The Sisters of Mercy have identified the Critical Concern of the Earth as one requiring our committed action and advocacy today, and our Salve Regina mission statement reads: “Recognizing that all people are stewards of God’s creation, the University encourages students to work for a world that is harmonious, just, and merciful.”
How are you living this mission? What is one commitment you might make today to live as a steward of creation? How might your actions this Earth Day manifest into a renewed care for neighbor and earth, a renewed commitment to our common home?
Prayer for the Earth
“All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace, that we may live
as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
O God of the poor,
help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth,
so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts
of those who look only for gain
at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognize that we are profoundly united
with every creature
as we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle
for justice, love and peace.”
– Pope Francis, from “Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home,” no. 246.
Each Monday and Wednesday, SALVEtoday will provide a prayer of reflection for the University community to reflect upon during this time of remote living and learning. #salvesgotthis #wellnesswednesdays
Photo by Getty Images/Ivan Pantic
