Read about the "Green Catholics" DOSA Season of Creation Gatherings

EVENTS

CURRENT

40 DAYS; 40 WAYS TO A GREEN LENT

Many centuries ago, St. Augustine claimed that God has given us two books of revelation – the book of sacred scripture and the book of nature. With the natural world in peril, we are being called to explore a “new way of being.” The Franciscian Action Network shares 40 ways to a Green Lent starting here:

Follow the Golden Rule. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Expand this rule to include animals, the planet, and people across the globe.
Take a Sabbath Walk in the Woods with a Book of Psalms or Tree Guide. Creaking branches, rustling leaves and the hushed stillness of being in the woods can be a spiritual experience.
Start a Nature Journal. Document and share your reflections, and observations of God's awe-inspiring gift of creation.
Do a Moral Inventory. What can we give up for the sake of the planet? Excessive shopping? Social Media? Our sense of entitlement? Freed from these distractions, we can offer ourselves to the community and the world.
Venture Out After Dark. View the wild beauty of the starry skies and let yourself be overwhelmed by the magnificent cosmos of which we Earthlings are a part.

EARTH SONG GARDEN GATHERING
APRIL 22, 2026 - CATHEDRAL BASILICA COURTYARD. DETAILS COMING SOON.

“...If we approach nature and the environment without openness to awe and wonder, if we no longer speak the language of fraternity and beauty in our relationship with the world, our attitude will be that of masters, consumers, ruthless exploiters, unable to set limits on their immediate needs. By contrast, if we feel intimately united with all that exists, then sobriety and care will well up spontaneously.” (Excerpt from Laudato Si’, Pope Francis)

earth day campaign - Join the global garden

The Saint Kateri Habitat project promotes healthy sacred spaces worldwide with native planting tips and information about our "Garden" Saints -- Kateri Tekakwitha, Francis of Assisi, and the Blessed Mother. Sow seeds of hope in every corner of the globe; list your garden on the Saint Kateri map, found here: Kateri.org. See the local and global Kateri Habitats here.

PAST EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Season of Creation • Sept. 1 - Oct. 4, 2025

CREATOR OF ALL, we praise you for the gift of life and the faith that unites us in care for our Common Home. We acknowledge that our destructive impulses have fractured our relationships with you, with others, and with the Earth. Stir us to compassionate action. Inspire us to work for the end of conflict, reconciliation and the relief of suffering. Prince of Peace, through your wounds, teach us to stand in solidarity with our wounded world. Through your resurrection, make us people of hope--with a vision of swords turned into ploughshares and tears transformed into joy. May we come together as one family, to labor for a peaceful world, where all may dwell in safety, and rest in quiet places.

canticle of creation
800th anniversary exhibit

"Canticle of Creation" Exhibition of original paintings at the Cathedral Basilica honored the 800th Anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi's Canticle. The works by LSM Animator Elyse Brady illustrate the familial bonds of God's creation revealed by St. Francis as "Brothers" and "Sisters." VIEW THE EXHIBIT HERE.

HIGHLIGHTS

Seeds of Hope & Peace: Reflection in the Garden.
Sister Carol Stovall, SSJ, inspired a new audience on ecological conversion for her Laudato Si' Animator Training. Held at the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse, Sept. 13.
"Sabbath, Creation & the Eucharist" Lecture Series by Dr. John Daniels, ThD, retired Flagler Professor, explored revelatory passages the Bible.

PILGRIMS OF HopE - 2025 JUBILEE YEAR

The Cathedral Creation Care Ministry 2025 Jubilee of Hope began "On the Path of Beauty" with an exhibition of landscape paintings by Florida Hall of Fame Artist, Roger Bansemer at the Mission Nombre de Dios Jubilee of Artists. The10th anniversary of the encyclical, "Laudato Si'" was celebrated and the year concluded with an 800th anniversary tribute to St. Francis's "Canticle of the Creatures." The Jubilee led to a deepening of faith and gratitude, moments of reconciliation and joy, and fervent work toward unity among all of God's creation. We appreciate the Diocese of St. Augustine tireless work to engage the entire community.

10TH ANNIVERSARY OF the encyclical "laudato si"

800TH ANNIVERSARY OF "canticle of the CREATURES"

st. augustine pilgrimage walks • PILGRIMs of hope FOR CREATION

Season of Creation • SEPT 1 - OCT 4 2024

saint francis: PeacemakER in our world

2024 LECTURE: On the eve of the Feast of St. Francis, Flagler College Distinguished Professor of Religion and Franciscan scholar, Dr. Timothy Johnson gave a compelling talk on the extraordinary life of our patron saint of ecology. Special thanks to Flagler College Lifelong Institute. See Photos on our Facebook Page

care for creation: make it sacred

2024 RETREAT: This half day immersion into ecological enlightenment, explored themes of the encyclical “Laudato Si’, including ecological conversion, advocacy and lifestyle changes that promote creative caring for our Common Home. 8am Mass. Speakers: Msgr. Vincent Haut. Saturday, October 26; St. Paul's Catholic Church, Jacksonville Beach, FL

LENT 2024

pope francis's vision for the catholic church

LECTURE-PREPARING FOR LENT
Bishop John Stowe, Diocese of Lexington, KY, gave a compelling talk on the Holy Father's prophetic view of our shared future. Presented by the Flagler College Usdin Judeo-Christian Lecture Series - Feb. 6, 2024

SPRING/SUMMER 2023

laudato si' week 2023

HOPE FOR THE EARTH. HOPE FOR HUMANITY.
A weeklong commemoration of the 8th Anniversary of Pope Francis' encyclical on the environment, "Laudato Si'." People worldwide took action in many forms, from prayer and planting trees to viewing the Holy Father's documentary, "The Letter." See the movie and other Laudato Si' Week activities here: https://laudatosiweek.org May 21-28, 2023

2023 Easter Season Renewal Morning Retreat
"God's Creation: A Revelation of Love & the Spiritual Practice of Living in Harmony with the Earth and Each Other"

Saturday, April 15, 2023 • St. Joseph Renewal Center
Pope Francis’ encyclical, “Laudato Si’- On Care For Our Common Home” is an appeal to rethink our relationship with the living planet. In this retreat, participants learned how the message of integral ecology and stewardship of God’s creation is an expression of love and duty, defined by scripture and Church teaching. Topics:
• Ecological Spirituality: Msgr. Vincent Haut, retired parish priest with 50 years of social service in North Florida and the Diocese of St. Augustine;
• The Gospel of Creation: John Daniels, ThD, Old Testament Scholar, Ministry Formation, Diocese of St., Augustine.

SEASON OF CREATION 2022

ROSARY FOR THE EARTH
A nature-inspired meditative Rosary for the Earth in the tranquil gardens of the historic Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse. The gathering ushered in the Season of Creation — global interfaith efforts to unite in prayer and action for our Common Home. Sept. 1, 2022.

2022 LAUDATO SI' WEEK

great work of art STUDENT EXHIBITION

A charming student eco-art exhibition at Cathedral Parish School, this pilot program was inspired by the message of Laudato Si'. Mixed-media art processes and environmental stewardship informed the works. CPS Art Teacher Danielle Sowards co-led the Catholic Climate Covenant grant program with the Cathedral Basilica Creation Care Ministry. Job well done! See the artwork. May 22, 2022

LENT & EASTER 2022

wild hope: Stories for lent from the vanishing

LENTEN BOOK CLUB. A reading adventure for the whole family. Illustrated with block prints, the stories of endangered species, and heroes trying to save them, awaken a "wild hope" that something new will rise from destruction. The book cover depicts the North Atlantic Right Whale, found in the warm waters of North Florida. Learn more and Get the book.

Right whale spotting

From December to early Apri, North Atlantic Right Whales migrate from the cold North Atlantic to the warm waters of North Florida to birth and nurse their young calves. The endangered mammals can be spotted just offshore St. Augustine. Less than 400 Right Whales exist today. Their major threat is human contact, from boats and fishing lines. You can help the Whitney Lab in Marineland gather data to protect these majestic creatures by becoming a citizen scientist. Learn more about whale spotting here!

2021 ADVENT & CHRISTMAS

PLANT TREES FOR CHRISTMAS

During the Christmas season, consider sustainable gift-giving, like planting trees. Reforestation projects are vital to the health of the planet. Planting and preserving trees are affordable and a natural solutions to reducing global warming. Support: Arbor Day Foundation OR One Tree Planted
St. Augustine nurseries: Southern Horticulture; Native Plant Society

2021 LENT

2021 LENTEN BOOK STUDY GROUP
"The Great Work: Our Way Into the Future"

Facilitator Sister Carol Stovall, SSJ: "Geo-Theologian" Father Thomas Berry envisions a new paradigm that integrates humans with the natural world at all levels. In this time of ecological transformation, our intellectual vision, spiritual insight and physical resources are essential to carry out the Great Work of our time--transitioning from being a disruptive force on the planet to a restorative presence. Book highlights.

look back at the 2020 season of creation events

STEERING COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Formation/Planning Meetings In-person and Online: Quarterly; Call (904) 962-67

LAUDATO SI' CALENDAR DATES

February/March/April: Lent/Easter
April 22: Earth Day
May 16-24: Laudato Si' Week
Summer: Laudato Si' Online Animator Training (Laudato Si' Movement)
September 1 - October 4: Season of Creation/Feast of Saint Francis
November/December: Advent/Christmas

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