Peace with creation

On 2 September 2025, the Ateneo Senior High School community began its celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Season of Creation in the daily Mass presided over by Fr Sigmund “Munching” de Guzman SJ, Chaplain for Higher Education. In 2015, Pope Francis officially announced the Season of Creation as a Catholic observance. This is an ecumenical effort uniting all Christians throughout the world, regardless of denomination, in praying for our common home. This season commences on the first day of September, and ends on the fourth of October, the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of the environment and ecologists.

In his homily last 2 September, Fr Munching said that the Season of Creation is a month-long invitation for all of us to pause, reflect, and consider how our way of living impacts our common home, the Earth. It is not just about caring for nature, but also about fixing our connection with God, with each other, and with all of creation. 

As part of the observance, the Senior High School community begins its daily Mass by praying the Prayer of Creation, a prayer attributed to St Francis of Assisi. In this prayer, St Francis refers to the Sun, Moon, Wind, Water, Fire, Earth, and even Death as our brothers and sisters. As fellow creatures of the Lord, we share a kinship, even a familial relationship, with the environment and the entirety of creation. 

On 4 September 2025, Fr Noel Y Bava SJ, chaplain of the Senior High School blessed images of saints who exhibit stewardship towards God’s creation–hoping to allow the community to reflect and be inspired by the saints who were able to sense God in all things and to care for His creatures. 

Looking ahead, various activities have been prepared to help the community deepen its love for creation. There will be a photo contest, entitled Peace in Little Things, where students and faculty can showcase little things that spark awareness, contemplation, and peace. There will also be an Eco-bag Day where everyone will use eco-friendly, reusable, and personally-made bags, challenging their creativity, resourcefulness, and ingenuity. On 27 September, a pet blessing took place during the monthly Family Mass.

To end his homily, Fr Munching challenged the community to further reflect on their relationship with God’s creation. He said: “Our Gospel today and the season of creation invite all of us to ask ourselves: Am I listening to the voice of Jesus, or to the noise of selfishness and greed, which is the root cause addressed by Laudato Si’? How do I treat creation? Is it a gift to be cared for, or a resource to be used and thrown away? Where is Jesus inviting me to bring freedom and healing—to people, to nature, even to Himself? Our home is ailing; we are its doctors. As doctors of our ailing earth, may we be attentive and ready to respond to God’s call to care for our common home.”

During this Season of Creation, may we be more aware of how we can be truly brothers and sisters with all of God’s creation.

Photos by Princess Alexis W Amarillo 
Written by Ellaine C Alcantara and Mark Julius R Batugal
Senior High School - Office of Campus Ministry
Mission Integration - Ignatian Spirituality Formation