September 7–13, 2026
During this second week of the Season of Creation, we reflect on the water that sustained the first Marist community at the Hermitage.
Saint Marcellin and the first Brothers built the Hermitage by hand from the rock of the Gier Valley. Flowing alongside their new home, the Gier River became an important source of life for the growing community. In this place, water and rock came together as enduring images of Marist spirituality: the firm foundation of our shared mission and the living presence of God that continually renews us.
Marist communities, schools and ministries are encouraged to begin the Season of Creation with a special prayer service centered on gratitude for water.
Participants may be invited to bring a small amount of water from their homes in a reusable bottle. During the service, each person can pour some of that water into a common font or bowl. The gathered water can then be blessed as a sign of our shared dependence on this sacred gift and our collective responsibility to protect it.
In some traditions, the water may be used to sprinkle the congregation, recalling our Baptism and the calling we share as Christians. Participants may then bring some of the blessed water home as a reminder of their commitment to cherish water and help protect it for generations to come.
Call to Action: Share the Story of Water
This week, help bring the message of the Season of Creation beyond the walls of your community.
Use social media, newsletters, local news outlets or other communication channels to draw attention to the water issues affecting your area. You might highlight a polluted river, share the experiences of people facing water scarcity or celebrate a local effort that is helping restore an ecosystem.
Faith communities can also offer an important perspective by connecting Scripture, justice and environmental stewardship. Educational posts, short testimonies, infographics and stories about local rivers or springs can help others understand why protecting water is both an ecological responsibility and an expression of faith.
Share photographs and stories from your Season of Creation activities using #SeasonOfCreation and #MaristGreenTeam. Please obtain permission before sharing identifiable photographs, particularly images of children.
By sharing what is happening in your community, you can encourage others to pray and act for our Common Home.
