Plastic-Free Picnic to Celebrate the Season of Creation at Christs Church Cathedral

Early in September, on a beautiful Sunday morning, my family and I had the pleasure of attending a plastic-free picnic in downtown Montreal hosted by Christ Church Cathedral's Environmental Social Justice Action Group (ESJAG). The picnic took place on Sunday, September 9th to celebrate the Season of Creation.

Prior to the picnic my wife and I participated in the Sunday service at the Cathedral while the kids went to Sunday school. At the beginning of the service the Very Rev’d Bertrand Olivier explained that the liturgy reminds us that this is the Season of Creation.

Remembering Saint Francis the Patron Saint of Ecologists

The Feast of St. Francis is celebrated worldwide on October 4th and this is the day that marks the end of the Season of Creation. St. Francis is the Patron Saint of Animals and in 1979, Pope John Paul II declared St. Francis the Patron Saint of Ecologists. Many people have their their pets blessed on this day. Other events celebrating the life of this ecological saint include nature walks and games for children.

Francis de Sales was born in Italy in 1181 and he was beatified in 1661 by Pope Alexander VII, who then canonized him four years later.  Francis was a soldier in his youth, but after a conversion experience, he renounced his family’s wealth and devoted his life to God.

Francis' devotion to God was expressed through his love for all of God's creation. St. Francis cared for the poor and sick, he preached sermons to animals, and praised all creatures as brothers and sisters under God. His death in 1226 brought three million people together for his funeral. He is well known as the author of the author of the Canticle of the Creatures.

The Inspirational Efforts of the Environmental Social Justice Action Group at Christs Church Cathedral

Christ Church Cathedral's Environmental Social Justice Group (ESJAG) has been involved in a wide range of social advocacy over the years.  Both advocacy and education are central tenets of ESJAG's Statement of Purpose.

When the Very Reverend Ken Gray of British Columbia met with ESJAG he urged them to make ecological justice a priority which contributed to their decision to add "environmental" to their name and make ecological justice the theme for 2018.  Previous annual themes include homelessness, particularly as it relates to indigenous women. ESJAG actively supported indigenous justice including Truth and Reconciliation and the It Matters to Me campaign. They worked with KAIROS - Winds of Change (Call 62) campaign and they organized a conference with Indigenous educators and students.