Diving into “Living Water” to Take Action
From September 1 to October 4, 2026, Christians around the world are invited to celebrate the Season of Creation, an ecumenical period dedicated to prayer, reflection, and action to care for our common home.
This initiative dates back to 1989, when the Orthodox Church established a day of prayer for Creation. Expanded to the wider Christian community in 2015, it now brings together communities from different traditions around a shared call: to care for the Earth and all those who depend on it.
“Living Water”: The Theme of the Season of Creation 2026
This year’s theme, “Living Water,” is accompanied by the symbol “Immersion in Living Water,” inspired by the Book of Ezekiel (47:9, 12).
The biblical passage describes a river that brings life back to barren lands and allows ecosystems to flourish once again. This image reminds us of our profound interdependence with nature and invites us to acknowledge the damage caused to the environment so that we can better participate in its restoration.
The call for 2026 is therefore both spiritual and practical: to immerse ourselves in the river of transformation, protect water and ecosystems, and contribute to a future where human well-being goes hand in hand with the well-being of the planet.
A Guide to Pray, Celebrate, and Take Action
To support communities, a comprehensive Season of Creation 2026 guide is available in French, English, and Spanish.
It includes an introduction to the theme and its symbol, the Season of Creation prayer, a suggested ecumenical celebration, reflection resources, and ideas for organizing local activities and participating in advocacy for climate and ecological justice.
Other initiatives can also help deepen this commitment, including the Laudato Si’ Action Platform, the Anglican Communion Forest, and Green Church programs.
Two global online events are planned: September 1 for the opening and October 4 for the closing. Both will take place from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Montreal time. Consult the Season of Creation program for information on how to participate.
Peace and Care for Creation
In his message for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, Pope Leo XIV proposes this year’s theme: “They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks” (Isaiah 2:4).
This biblical vision reminds us of the connections between armed conflict, the exploitation of natural resources, and environmental degradation. It calls us to choose peace, sustainable development, and the protection of Creation over violence and destruction.
Water: A Long-Standing Commitment for the SNJM
The 2026 theme has special significance for the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM). In 2008, they chose water as the focus of their second corporate public stand, affirming that access to this essential resource is a universal right.
That commitment continues today through their approach to integral ecology, their participation in the Laudato Si’ Action Platform, and the adoption of practices aimed at protecting water and the environment.
The Season of Creation reminds us that, beyond these few weeks, caring for water, the Earth, and one another is an everyday commitment.