Nigeria’s Catholic Bishops Outline Directives to Guide World Day for Care of Creation

Abuja, 30 August, 2025 / 11:15 PM

Members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) have issued directives to guide the September 1 observance of the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, which is to include Holy Mass as Pope Leo XIV directed on Pentecost Day, June 8.

In a Wednesday, August 27 statement, CBCN members refer to the Decree of the Holy Father on the Holy Mass for the Care of Creation on July 2, the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si', saying that the event “should be celebrated every September 1 in all parishes and institutions in Nigeria.”

“The vestment colour for this Mass is green,” Nigeria’s Catholic Bishops add in the statement that the CBCN Secretary General, Fr. Michael Anyanleke Banjo, signed.

They urge all Catholics “to take part in this Mass” which they emphasize is “a powerful liturgical response to the ecological crisis” the world faces today.

Beyond the liturgical celebration, the Nigeria Catholic Church leaders also encourage Parishes and institutions “to organise educational programmes on Laudato Si', alongside concrete initiatives such as tree planting, clean-up exercises, and campaigns on waste reduction.”

The efforts and the activities, the Bishops in Nigeria say, “should lead to lasting renewal expressed in daily habits of caring for our surroundings, conserving resources, reducing waste, and showing solidarity with the poor who suffer most from environmental neglect.”

In their August 27 statement, the CBCN members invoke the intercession of Mary, Queen of Creation, asking her to accompany the people of God in their mission to be responsible stewards of God’s gifts.

“May Mary, Queen of Creation, intercede for us as we strive to be faithful guardians of God's gifts,” the Catholic Bishops in Nigeria implore.

Here are the prayers and readings for Mass for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation

PRAYERS

Entrance Antiphon - Ps 18(19): 2

The heavens declare the Glory of God, and the firmament proclaims the work of his hands.

Collect

God our Father, who in Christ, the firstborn of all creation,

called all things into being, grant, we pray, that docile to the life-giving breath of your Spirit, we may lovingly care for the work of your hands.Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

Prayer over the Offerings

Receive, O Father, these fruits of the earth and of our hands: bring to completion in them the work of your creation, so that, transformed by the Holy Spirit, they may be for us the food and drink of eternal life. Through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon - cf. Ps 97: 3

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Prayer after Communion

May the sacrament of unity which we have received, O Father, increase communion with you and with our brothers and sisters, so that, as we await the new heavens and the new earth, we may learn to live in harmony with all creatures. Through Christ our Lord.

READINGS

First Reading from the Old Testament

Wisdom 13:1-9

(Story continues below)

"For if they were able to know so much about the world, how did they not more quickly find

the Lord of it?"

All people are vain by nature...

Second Reading from the New Testament

Colossians 1:15-20

"All things were created through him and for him."

Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God...

Responsorial Psalms

Psalm 18:2-3, 4-5

Response: "The heavens declare the glory of God."

Psalm 103:1-2a, 5-6, 10-12, 24, 35c

Response: "May the Lord rejoice in his works."

Alleluia

Psalm 104:24

"How manifold are your works, O Lord! You have made all things in wisdom."

1 Chronicles 29:11d, 12b

"Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; you rule over all."

Gospel Reading

Matthew 6:24-34

"Do not worry about tomorrow."

In that time, Jesus said to his disciples...

"No one can serve two masters."

OR (alternative Gospel reading)

Matthew 8:23-27

"Rising, he rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm."

In that time, as Jesus boarded the boat...