On World Earth Day of 2024, the Sisters of Notre Dame of the Provincial House Community celebrated by gathering on the lawn so as to feel the gentle touch of the Earth Mother. The glittering lights created a soothing ambience to participate in the prayer service created for this occasion.
Rituals were performed to connect us with Mother Earth.
First, Holy Water was sprinkled to enjoy the freshness of the water to free us from all our negativity so that we “can walk on the wings of the wind.”
Then we prayed the following prayer of commitment:
“We commit ourselves to care for all the gifts of Creation. We commit ourselves to explore and understand environmental concerns. We commit to work with others for environmental justice. Come Holy Spirit; enkindle in us the fire of your love. Send your breath over the waters and we shall be re–created. And we shall renew the face of the Earth.”
Finally, the globe was passed from one Sister to another to symbolize our commitment to take personal responsibility to respect and protect Mother Earth.
The Earth is ultimately a common heritage, the fruits of which are for the benefit of all. “God wills the interdependence of creatures. The sun and the moon, the cedar and the little flower, the eagle and the sparrow: … no part of creation is self–sufficient. Creatures exist only in dependence on each other, to complete each other, in the service of each other.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #340.)
by Dreamhost