World Environment Day is celebrated by millions across the globe and is the largest global platform for environmental public outreach. Held annually since 1973, it takes place on 5th June and Sweden is this year’s national host. The 2022 World Environment Day theme #OnlyOneEarth calls for collaborative, transformative action worldwide to celebrate, protect and restore our planet. Similarly to the recent World Earth Day, we think of Religious Sisters of Charity all over the world who honour, respect, and work with nature to safeguard our planet’s wonders. What will you do to cherish #OnlyOneEarth?
In the universe are billions of galaxies,
In our galaxy are billions of planets,
But there is #OnlyOneEarth.
Let’s take care of it.
Our RSC Care of the Earth team continue to work towards transforming how our congregations live and work for the well-being of all creation. This World Environment Day, we encourage you to take actions to better the environment, to accept the role of taking care of the planet and recognise your responsibility in conserving God’s gift for the future. Be an example to younger generations as a leader and a true force for change. Give a human face to environmental issues and help people in your community to realise not only their responsibility, but also their power to become agents for change in support of sustainable and equitable development.
For further reading, see the World Environment Day website for how to take part in this year’s events (link) as well as the Laudato Si’ Contemplation monthly resource for the month of June (link).
This Environment Day, let us pray that around the world people will take action together in hope to care for God’s wonderful creation. Join us to create worldwide awareness on the importance of our environment with this prayer taken from Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’:
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.
