Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live. […] Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing. (Ezek 47:9,12).
The Season of Creation is a time to celebrate the wonders of God’s creation and renew our commitment to live in harmony with all living beings. Coinciding with the harvest season in many parts of the world, the Season of Creation begins Sept. 1 with the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation and concludes Oct. 4 with the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of ecology.
Theme and Symbols
This year’s theme, “Living Water”, explores Ezekiel 47:9 and 12 as a powerful biblical vision of hope and ecological healing. Set amid exile and loss, the image of living water flowing from God’s sanctuary reveals divine healing that renews land, water, biodiversity, and human responsibility towards the whole creation.
The symbol pictures water flowing from the Temple of God – at first a tiny stream which grows deeper and deeper and as it does so it brings life to dead areas and restores fertility to damaged or barren ecosystems. Through living water comes healing, but to receive new life we too must step into the water and become part of God’s river of life, taking part in the healing of creation.
Celebrate with us
The Season of Creation offers several opportunities to gather in prayer, reflection, and community as we celebrate the gift of creation and our responsibility to care for our common home. Beginning September 1 with a Liturgy of the Word in the Motherhouse Chapel, the observance continues with two special water-focused events — Cleansing of the Water on September 22 and Water Is Life on September 25, which invites participants to learn from Anishinaabek ways of knowing and honor niibi (water) as a relative and life-giving force. The Season concludes with a Mass in Honor of the Season of Creation on October 4.
Season of Creation Resources
This Season of Creation offers an opportunity to move from reflection to action. Three IHM congregations have come together to create “34 Days of Action”, which invites us to care for our common home through meaningful daily actions rooted in our shared commitment to justice, peace and the integrity of creation. We invite you to use and share these resources with family, friends and the world.
Learn more in Season of Creation’s Celebration Guide 2026 here or explore their website here.
Global invitation to join the Season of Creation
Prayer Service for Creation Day – Sept. 1, 2026
The Season of Creation reminds us that we are not spectators standing outside creation.
We are part of the Earth community. Every prayer, conversation, petition, effort to protect our waterways, and choice made in solidarity can contribute to a larger movement for hope and healing.