Care for God’s Creation
January 2026
Core Principle
As a new year begins, we are invited to reflect on renewal—not only in our personal lives but in the world around us. The Catholic Social Teaching principle of Care for God’s Creation reminds us that the earth is a gift from God, entrusted to our stewardship. We are called to protect and sustain this gift, ensuring that future generations can share in its beauty and abundance.
This principle is not simply about environmentalism; it is about reverence for the Creator and justice for all. When creation suffers, the poor and vulnerable often bear the greatest burden—through pollution, climate change, and resource scarcity. To care for the earth is to care for one another, recognizing that our well-being is deeply interconnected with the health of our planet.
As Pope Francis teaches in Laudato Si’, “The earth herself, burdened and laid waste, is among the most abandoned and maltreated of our poor.” In this season of beginnings, let us commit to choices that honor God’s handiwork and promote the common good.
Scriptural Reflection
The earth is the LORD’s and all it holds, the world and those who dwell in it.
Psalm 24:1
Prayer & Petition
Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness You have given us this earth, our common home. Teach us to cherish its beauty and care for its resources with wisdom and gratitude. Inspire us to live as faithful stewards, so that all creation may flourish and reflect Your glory.
- For leaders and policymakers—may they enact laws that protect the environment and promote sustainability
- For communities affected by pollution and climate change—may they find relief and justice
- For farmers and all who work the land—may they be supported in caring for creation responsibly
- For our own hearts—may we choose simplicity over excess and stewardship over neglect
- For the Church—may we be a prophetic voice for ecological justice and care for the poor
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.