Listening to the Cries of the Earth, the Cries of the Poor

Responding to Pope Francis' call to hear the cries of the earth and the cries of the poor, a group of 35 people gathered in St. Louis, MO for an ecumenical prayer service on Thursday evening, September 28th as part of the Season of Creation.  The prayer service was organized by the Intercommunity Ecological Council which is made up of women's religious congregations in LCWR Region X, including the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word.  It was also co-sponsored by the Archdiocese of St. Louis Peace and Justice Commission.

Sr. Carla Mae Street offers the reflection

The prayer service wove together excerpts from Pope Francis' Laudato Si, statements from the world day of prayer for creation, and reflections on the current reality of pollution, climate change, and environmental racism.  Sr. Carla Mae Streeter OP offered the main reflection, inviting those present to reflect on who they are, and where they are.  In the work to care for our common home, there has to be a change of heart in human beings to see their interconnectedness with all of creation and to respond with creativity and compassion to the cries of the earth and the cries of the poor.  

After reflecting on both the beauty of creation and the ways we contribute to her destruction, each table offered one petition of praise and one petition of lament during a communal prayers of the people.  The response after each petition was the Taize refrain "Kyrie Kyrie Eleison" which was used to connect to the ecumenical Taize service in France which was held earlier this month as part of the Season of Creation.  

Each participant was also invited to write down on a ribbon something or someone that they love in the created universe, because we will protect what we love.  These ribbons were hung up on a string and then at the end of the prayer service each person was invited to take a ribbon that wasn't theirs and to incorporate what was written on there into their own prayer and promise to protect.  The closing prayer ended with all participants repeating the Laudato Si pledge to pray for and with creation, live more simply, and advocate to protect our common home.  

Participants take a ribbon mentioning a part of creation
they will pray for and protect 

Overall it was a beautiful service to honor and celebrate our connection to creation as well as deepen our commitment to hear and respond to the cries of the earth and the cries of the poor.  

Thanks to all who were able to join us!