Dear Sisters and Associates,

We will celebrate St. Francis Day on October 4th. In conjunction, we are celebrating the season of creation from September 1st to October 4th.

During the nine days, we will share brief reflections asking St. Francis of Assisi to pray for us and our world, based on his beautiful Canticle of the Sun. The videos and reflections were produced by the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development.

You can use the video prayers or the written prayers below.

First Prayer - Sun

“We praise you, Lord, for all your creatures,

especially for Brother Sun,

who is the day through whom you give us light.” (St Francis of Assisi)

“I dream that this Amazon, so beautiful and diverse, a gift from God,

this earth which gives life, our life, our mother, is not transformed into a desert.”

(Fr. Henri de Roziers, Pastoral Land Commission, Brazil)

Creator God,

We are nourished by your radiance.

Forgive us for the harm we cause your earth,

the heat and drought unleashed by climate change.

St Francis, you loved our sacred world,

you praised God ceaselessly

for his dazzling creation.

May we learn from your example.

St Francis, pray for us.

Your Associate Relationship Team,

Rosaura, Catherine and Sister Therese

rsolano@sssf.org / calexander@sssf.org / tthoenen@sssf.org