Why are we praying for creation on June 10?

On Friday, June 10, we will hold an Ecological Embertide prayer service at St. Gregory the Great Church, in the Our Lady of Consolation Chapel.

The date is significant. As we close out the Easter season with the celebration of Pentecost, we come upon the Whit Emberdays, which occur in the week after Pentecost. Ember days are days at the beginning of each new season that were set aside by the Church as days of fasting, abstinence and prayer (Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 5). These days are meant to thank God for the gifts of nature, teach men to use those gifts in moderation and help those in need.

The Whit Emberdays are:

-Wednesday, June 8
-Friday, June 10
-Saturday, June 11

Our prayer service, which will begin at 7:30, includes:

• A reading from the prophet Isaiah
• The Canticle of the Sun, by St. Francis of Assisi
• Intercessions for creation, against natural disaster and for mercy for sins against creation
• "Prayer in Union with Creation" by Pope Francis

We hope you will join us! You can RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/435620921727795/