Over 370 Participants Join Nationwide Effort to Lead Pilgrimages Across the U.S. During the 2025 Season of Creation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Katie Zakrzewski | 501-618-0234 | katie@catholicclimatecovenant.org
DATE: March 17, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Over 370 individuals and faith communities from around the U.S. gathered for a virtual launch event on Feb. 18, marking the beginning of a transformative journey that will culminate during the Season of Creation 2025 (Sept. 1 – Oct. 4). Pilgrims of Hope for Creation, is a nationwide initiative organized by nearly two-dozen Catholic organizations.
The initiative invites Catholics across the nation to embark on pilgrimages focused on healing and renewal: deepening their relationship with God, one another, and the Earth. These pilgrimages, which can range from short walks on parish grounds to longer journeys through nature’s beauty or places of ecological significance, all share a common mission: to inspire a renewed commitment to caring for creation and restoring humanity’s sacred relationship with the environment.
The Pilgrims of Hope for Creation initiative was launched in celebration of two significant milestones — the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of the Creatures and the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, which calls all people of faith to actively care for creation — and is honoring the universal Church’s Jubilee Year of Hope announced by Pope Francis in 2024.
“We are so inspired by the incredible energy at this launch event,” said Anna Johnson, the North American Program Manager for Laudato Si’ Movement, one of the organizations involved in the Pilgrimages of Hope for Creation initiative. “We already have some profound pilgrimages registered, and we know of many more in discernment and formation. These pilgrimages are shaping up to be powerful opportunities for transformation and collective commitment to all of God’s creation and to each other.”
The virtual launch event offered participants the chance to learn about the pilgrimage movement, hear from Church and community leaders, and understand how they can get involved in planning and leading their own pilgrimages.
“As we stand at a pivotal moment in our shared history, we have an extraordinary opportunity to begin the healing process,” said Dan Misleh, Founder and Executive Director of Catholic Climate Covenant, one of the organizations supporting the Pilgrimages of Hope for Creation initiative. “Pilgrimages of Hope for Creation are more than just a physical journey — they are a spiritual path toward reconciliation with the Earth, each other, and God, and an opportunity to renew our commitment to care for the world around us.”
Next Steps for Pilgrims
As the initiative moves forward, Pilgrims of Hope for Creation invites individuals, families, and faith communities to join the effort and participate in upcoming pilgrimages. Here are ways to get involved:
- Register Your Pilgrimage — Pilgrims can now officially register their pilgrimages.
- Watch the Launch Party Recording — For those who missed the launch, the full event recording is available in English and in Spanish, and the presentation can be viewed here.
- Join the Mailing List — Sign up for updates and to connect with other pilgrims.
- Sign Up for Webinars — Participate in upcoming pilgrimage planning webinars, including the next one on March 18, 2025, focused on “Initial Pilgrimage Planning and Network Building.” Register here.
A Call for Action and Reflection
Pilgrims of Hope for Creation calls on Catholics to reflect on the sacred connection between faith and the environment. Through pilgrimages, participants are invited to engage in prayer, reflection, and collective action aimed at creating a more just and sustainable future for all.
The initiative is rooted in Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’, which underscores the importance of caring for the Earth as a moral responsibility. Pilgrims of Hope for Creation invites Catholics to take concrete steps toward healing and reconciliation with creation, guided by the principles of Catholic social teaching and the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi.
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About Pilgrimages of Hope for Creation
Pilgrimages of Hope for Creation is a nationwide initiative launched by a coalition of Catholic and environmental organizations, including the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Health Association of the United States, the National Association of Catholic Social Action and Mission, Catholic Climate Covenant, Catholic Impact Investing Collaborative, Francesco Collaborative, Franciscan Action Network, Franciscan Friars, Ignatian Solidarity Network, Laudato Si’ Movement, Leadership Conference of Women Religious, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, Network Advocates for Catholic Social Justice, the Saint Kateri Conservation Center, the Sisters of Mercy, and many others. The initiative calls Catholics to reflect on the profound relationship between God, humanity, and creation and to take concrete steps toward healing the Earth and renewing their spiritual commitment to creation care. The initiative culminates during the Season of Creation (Sept. 1 – Oct. 4, 2025), a time for prayer, reflection, and action focused on the environmental crisis facing our world today.
For more information, please visit http://Catholicpilgrimsofhope.org.
About Catholic Climate Covenant
Catholic Climate Covenant is a national U.S. nonprofit founded with the support of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2006 that inspires and equips U.S. Catholics and institutions to care for creation together. Through 20 national partners, we guide the U.S. Church’s response to climate change and integral ecology through faith-driven education, advocacy, and resources.
www.catholicclimatecovenant.org.
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