Care for Our Common Home

 

Through the greatness and the beauty of creatures one comes to know by analogy their maker (Wis 13:5); indeed, his eternal power and divinity have been made known through his works since the creation of the world 

Laudato Si' 12

In Laudato Si', Pope Francis gave voice to the concept of integral ecology which emphasizes the deep connection between our relationships with each other and the Lord Jesus as members of His One Body, as well as all creation.  We are called to rediscover in awe and wonder the beauty of creation and at the same time, respond to the cry of the earth. 

In the Diocese of Sacramento, we see God's gifts through the environmental richness and diversity in every corner of our diocese.  However, we face tremendous challenges due to fires, floods, drought and climate change.   The Diocese of Sacramento commits to responding to Pope Francis's urgent call through several activities that encourages each of us to Reflect, Act and Evaluate.

Rogation Days: 

Asking for the Lord's Blessing Upon the Harvest and Those Who Produce our Food

Rogation days are an ancient Christian practice, a time set aside by the Church for prayer and penance, as we humbly implore the mercy of God.  These days serve as a reminder of our connection to creation, our dependence on God and the beauty, and also the power of the natural world.  In this season of hope and uncertainty, we turn with humility and confidence to the Giver of all good things (At Home Rogation Days Observation Guide, Catholic Rural Life). 

Parishes are encouraged to hold ceremonies to bless seeds and soil or to offer special blessings for those involved in agriculture and gardening.

2026 Calendar:

  • Major Rogation Day: April 25, 2026
  • Minor Rogation Days: May 11-13, 2026

Resources:

Ember Days:

Giving thanks for the goodness of God's creation through Prayer, Fasting and Abstinence

Derived from the Latin quattuor tempora (four times), Ember Days are three-day periods of prayer, fasting, and abstinence observed four times a year.  Occurring on a Wednesday, Friday and Saturday during each of the four seasons, these days invite us to pause and focus our attention on the goodness of God's creation.  Historically, Ember Days also served as a time to pray for vocations and were the traditional days for ordinations.  Toda, they remain a powerful invitation to reconnect with God through the natural world and spiritual discipline. 

2026 Calendar:

  • Spring (after Ash Wednesday): February 25, 27, and 28
  • Summer (after Pentecost): May 27, 29, and 30
  • Autumn (after Holy Cross): September 16, 18, and 19
  • Winter (after St. Lucy): December 16, 18, and 19

How to Observe Ember Days

  • Prayer & Practice Quiet Discipline: Attend mass on Ember Days, dedicate time for prayer and quiet reflection, take a mini-spiritual retreat during Ember Days, and fast.  Pray for Vocations during Ember Days!
  • Fasting & Abstinence: Fasting can include 1 regular meal + 2 smaller meals and no food between meals.  Partial abstinence from meat on days 1 and 2 of Ember Days and this means that meat is allowed 1 meal per day.  Complete abstinence is for the 3rd day, Ember Friday, and no meat is allowed on this day.
  • Contemplate Creation: Spend time outdoors and consider our role as stewards.  Through the renewal of Ember Days, we Catholics have an opportunity to continue to sanctify our relationship with nature in the light of God's amazing gifts.
  • Support Local Agriculture: Visit a local farm with family and friends to gather seasonal produce, learn about your local agriculture and the dedicated labor ensuring we have food throughout the year.
  • Charitable acts:  Share the fruits of the harvest by bringing produce to homebound and vulnerable neighbors or donating to a local food pantry. 

Laudato Si' Week

"From Hope to Action" is the theme for the 2026 Laudato Si' Week, emphasizing practical steps for integral ecology over mere words.  Parishes, schools, families, and individuals worldwide are asked to commit to at least one concrete sustainability action (ex: reducing energy use, starting a local eco-project, or reviewing purchasing practices, etc.).  

  • 2027: May 17 - 25

Resources:

Reflect

Laudato Si' tells us that "an integral ecology includes taking time to recover a serene harmony with creation, reflecting on our lifestyle and our ideals, and contemplating the Creator who lives among us and surrounds us, whose presence 'must not be contrived but found, uncovered'." (LS 225).  

In 2022, we start a profound period of reflection that supports deepening the ecological conversion to which St. John Paul II and Pope Francis call us to.  Reflection includes a consideration of how our Diocese and each Parish's unique values and identity relate to the Laudato Si' goals. 

Parish Pastoral Council Reflection Guides:  We invite all Parish Pastoral Councils to use these Reflection Guides:

Ecological Education is about helping children, young people and adults learn the Christian values to be good stewards
PPC Ecological Education

 

Act

The Diocese will encourage individuals, families, and Parishes to take concrete actions towards the Laudato Si’ goals.

We are committed to:

  • Annual Gathering
  • Host Regional Meetings: The Diocese covers 20 counties, each with diverse challenges.  We are dividing the Diocese in three regions: North State, Sacramento, and Yolo-Solano.
    • First Regional Meetings: November 2022
    • To receive updates for the Regional Meetings, please email Laura Rios, lrios@scd.org
  • Provide Activities, Resources & Prayers
    • Prayers:
      • The 2023 Liturgical Calendar now includes: Rogation Days (May) and Ember Days (September)
    • Activities:
      • Emergency Preparedness Virtual Course - Coming Soon!
    • Resources

Evaluate

As we develop greater “care for our brothers and sisters and for the natural environment”, we begin to see “the moral imperative of assessing the impact of our every action and personal decision on the world around us.” (LS 208). Evaluation includes an annual self-assessment of progress and create a Laudato Si’ plan for the coming year and celebrating any progress made.

During the Season of Creation, we invite Care for Creation teams and ministries as well as all parishioners to convene and celebrate, give thanks, and prepare for another Season of Creation.

Resources

Video Resources