The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi – Oct. 4 – is the day upon which the month-long Season of Creation celebration reaches culmination. On this day Christians of many traditions come together in prayer and reflection on climate justice, the future of our planet, and the hope for a renewed Earth.
St. Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of ecology and a symbol of harmony between humanity and nature.
Why St. Francis of Assisi is Central to the Season of Creation
St. Francis of Assisi embodied a deep relationship with creation. He affectionately called the sun, moon, and earth his brothers and sisters, recognizing the intrinsic value of all living beings and the natural world.
In Laudato Si', Pope Francis refers to St. Francis as the "example par excellence of care for the vulnerable and of an integral ecology lived out joyfully and authentically." His example perfectly reflects the mission of the Season of Creation: restoring justice, healing broken relationships, and fostering peace with creation.
Programs
Our partners at the Catholic Climate Covenant are offering the following educational and formation opportunities to help us understand the impacts of the ecological crisis and how we can lean into the Catholic tradition and values of our organizations to take concrete actions to protect our common home.
October 21 webinar – What is in the Air We Breathe?
For the past 27 years, the American Lung Association (ALA) has released an annual "State of Our Air" report. The report serves as "a national air quality report card that grades U.S. counties and ranks cities based on levels of ozone and particle pollution." Even as federal environmental health protections are rolled back, the 2026 report found that 120 million people in the U.S. live in areas with unhealthy levels of air pollution, and nearly half of children in the U.S. live in places with unhealthy levels of air pollution. How does unhealthy air quality impact our children and the most vulnerable in our nation? How should we as people of faith respond? Featuring staff from the American Lung Association and the Environmental Justice Program of the Diocese of Stockton. Register here.
"All Creation Sings" – toolkit for staff reflection and discussion
Pope Leo XIV established the special Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the saint’s Transitus to Heaven. The year invites us to embrace simplicity, peace, and spiritual renewal and to transform our hope into concrete action.
This year's Feast of St. Francis program, All of Creation Sings, will guide participants through 90-minutes of prayer, reflection, discussion, and suggested actions. Visit the Catholic Climate Covenant website to download the programs.
Listen to the Voice of Creation
Each less than five minutes in duration, this series of video reflections offers an opportunity for shared reflection and well-being at your next team huddle or meeting.