Creation Day at Campion Hall

Ten years ago, with the publication of Laudato Si’, Pope Francis established 1 September as the annual World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation within the Catholic Church. In his letter of invitation, he urged the faithful “to rediscover in our own rich spiritual patrimony the deepest motivations for our concern for the care of creation.” This initiative represented both a response to the long-standing invitation of the Orthodox Church and an affirmation of widespread grassroots interest in ecological spirituality.

Pope Leo XIV, in 2025, has continued this important tradition by issuing a special message for the observance of Creation Day. This message comes in the wake of his promulgation earlier this year of a new Mass formulary, For the Care of Creation.

This development is closely linked to the ongoing work of the Laudato Si’ Research Institute, which over the past two years has sought to promote the formal observance of a “Feast of Creation” on 1 September across global Christian communions. The Institute’s efforts have brought together multiple denominations and ecclesial organisations, culminating in a series of conferences held in Assisi in March 2024, December 2024, and May 2025.

Against this backdrop, Campion Hall was privileged on 1 September to celebrate (for the first time in Oxford) the new Mass For the Care of Creation at Campion Hall. The liturgy was preceded by a presentation from Professor Celia Deane-Drummond and Dr Timothy Howles on the broader ecumenical process leading towards the recognition of a Feast of Creation. Additional reflections were offered by the Revd Dr Matthew Cheung Salisbury, National Liturgical Adviser to the Church of England.

We were delighted to stand in communion with Christian communities worldwide on this day, rejoicing in the theological mystery of creation, giving glory to the Triune God as Creator, and recognising the central role of Christ in the work of creation.

Finally, to view photographs of Creation Day at Campion Hall and to access a video about the history and significance of the day, in English, French, Italian and Spanish we invite you to look at the article posted on the LSRI website here. You will also find additional resources and announcements at this link.

LSRI researchers Dr Timothy Howles and Professor Celia Deane-Drummond have recently published a scholarly article in the journal Theological Studies. Their article explores the understanding of the natural world that informed the early church. It argues that rather than being understood merely as backdrop to the Christian spiritual life, nature was taken as the site in which the whole “drama of the divine economy” was revealed, including God’s work of redemption and santification. Since aspects of this understanding have been lost in modernity, the article goes on to suggest that a retrieval of this stance could have value for the contemporary church. It is at this point that our ecumenical initiative towards a “Feast of Creation” across worldwide communions can have significant impact. You can read the article here.