Archbishop Charles J. Chaput invites all members of all 219 parishes in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to participate today, Sept. 1, in the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. Pope Francis established the day of prayer as an annual event to coincide with a similar observance in the Orthodox Church. To mark the occasion, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) planted a white oak tree at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in honor of the upcoming visit of Pope Francis to Philadelphia Sept. 26-27. The tree will be blessed after Evening Prayer Sept. 1.
The pope’s recent encyclical, “Laudato Si, on the Care of Our Common Home,” highlights the duties of all Christians to safeguard God’s gift of creation. People are encouraged today to pray with others at Mass and also in their personal prayers for the protection of creation.
The following intention in the universal prayer at Mass is suggested on Sept. 1: “For the protection of God’s gift of creation, that this effort on the part of government leaders and everyone will help to overcome the routine abuse and neglect of our common home. Let us pray to the Lord.”
See our photo gallery from the tree planting at St. Charles Seminary. (Photos by Sarah Webb)
Staff from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, which donated the white oak tree, plant it on the grounds of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary as officials and seminary staff observe.
The white oak tree at St. Charles Seminary is the 500,000th tree planted in the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Plant One Million campaign. The tree also commemorates the visit of Pope Francis to Philadelphia Sept. 26-27.
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