News—SVD Farm celebrates last day of Season of Creation with Holy Mass and ecumenical Prayer for Creation
Tagaytay City—In a powerful display of unity and reverence for God’s Creation, the SVD Laudato Si’ Farm culminated this year's Season of Creation last October 4, 2023.
At 4:00 PM, the solemn Holy Mass for Creation was held at the Chapel of the Virgin of the Poor. Afterwards, at 5:00 PM, the ecumenical Prayer for Creation was held at the St. Peter Fishpond and Gazebo.
Both events were attended by members of the SVD-Tagaytay Community, including the SVD Farm, Divine Word Institute of Mission Studies (DWIMS), Divine Word School of Theology (DWST), SVD Alternative Learning System (ALS). Members of the public also attended.
The Holy Mass for Creation was presided over by Rev. Fr. Samuel "Sam" Naceno-Agcaracar, SVD, Executive Director of the SVD Farm and Rector of the SVD-Tagaytay Community. The event brought together the SVD community and the public in a shared moment of prayer and reflection.
The Mass commenced with a stirring message from Fr. Sam, setting the tone for the solemn celebration and inspiring attendees to reflect on their roles as stewards of the environment.
Fr. Sam began by acknowledging the significance of the day. The Season of Creation, as designated by Pope Francis, spans from September 1 (the World Day of Prayer for Creation) to October 4 (the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi). During this period, the Church emphasizes the importance of environmental stewardship and the interconnectedness of all living beings. It is a time for reflection, prayer, and action in response to the ecological challenges facing our planet.
The day was also noted by Fr. Sam as the beginning of the Synod on Synodality in Rome and the imminent publication of Laudato Deo, the follow-up encyclical to Laudato Si’ by Pope Francis, both of which emphasize the importance of environmental care.
In Fr. Sam's words, "The SVD Laudato Si’ Farm is a humble response to the challenge of the Holy Father." He extended a challenge to all those in attendance, including sisters from various congregations, lay mission partners, and seminarians, to make this Mass a humble response to Pope Francis's challenge to care for the environment.
Fr. Sam concluded his message by leading the congregation in a moment of reflection and repentance. "For the many times that we took for granted our responsibility as Christians to take care of our common home, we ask God for his pardon and mercy. May he bless us with his compassion," he said.
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The Mass was a remarkable occasion for the SVD Farm, emphasizing its commitment to environmental stewardship and spirituality. The celebratory event saw Fr. Sam, joined by Rev. Fr. Ricardo "Jhon" Crisostomo, SVD, General Manager of the SVD Farm, as well as SVD Tagaytay Community confreres Rev. Fr. Alex Muaña, SVD, and Rev. Fr. Alan Bondoc, SVD, who concelebrated the Mass.
The Mass was beautifully facilitated by third-year theology (T3) students from the Divine Word School of Theology (DWST), led by Frt. Eoin Brogada-Hubilla, SVD, head of the Liturgical Committee. The Mass featured a selection of sacred songs chosen specifically for this year’s Season of Creation, including the soul-stirring hymn "All the Ends of the Earth."
In attendance were members of the SVD Tagaytay Community, who gathered alongside members of the public in prayer and praise. The diverse congregation came together as one, sharing their concerns and hopes for the environment and seeking divine guidance in their collective efforts to protect and preserve the Earth.
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In a thought-provoking homily, Fr. Sam encouraged attendees to embrace simplicity, vulnerability, and a deep connection to the environment as the SVD Farm celebrated the culmination of the Season of Creation.
Fr. Sam began by sharing some historical context about the month-long Season of Creation. He explained the celebration’s origins from the 1989 proclamation of September 1 as a day of prayer for creation by the Orthodox Christian Church, to the 2015 publication of Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment, Laudato Si’, and the ecumenical declaration of the same day as the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.
Fr. Sam emphasized the importance of responding to Pope Francis's challenge for all sectors of society, including schools, seminaries, parishes, and religious congregations, to actively engage in the Season of Creation. "I hope that we will respond to the challenge of the Season of Creation," he said.
Three key points were highlighted by Fr. Sam from Pope Francis's message—unity, sustainable action, and advocacy. He mentioned the SVD Farm’s ecumenical Prayer for Creation event, which would follow the Mass, as an example of the first key point. Afterwards, he discussed the need for sustainable practices, noting the SVD Farm's commitment to organic farming and the use of solar electricity as examples of responsible stewardship. He contrasted these practices with the environmental damage caused by profiteering from fossil fuels and mining, emphasizing the need to shift towards eco-friendly alternatives. He then challenged attendees towards advocacy, challenging them to take concrete actions in support of environmental protection.
Fr. Sam drew parallels between the Gospel's message of simplicity and vulnerability and the SVD Farm's ethos, evident even during its beginning.
For the SVD Farm, the Season of Creation was not just a date on the calendar; it was the very foundation of its journey. During the month of September in 2020, during this sacred season, SVD priests and seminarians embarked on a weekend apostolate at the Farm. Their mission—to transform idle land into a thriving agricultural haven and a spiritual retreat for all who would visit, the sanctuary we now know and love as the SVD Farm.
Fr. Sam recounted how the SVD Farm began with first-year seminarians from the Divine Word School of Theology (DWST) who were initially resistant to the cleaning and clearing tasks that were required by the land that would become the Farm. However, these seminarians eventually embraced the value of simplicity and hard work, he said.
He reiterated the importance of maintaining a simple and humble approach and staying true to the vision of the SVD Farm, emphasizing the principles of simplicity, vulnerability, and divine providence. He encouraged attendees to help others, minister to those in need, and remain committed to their shared mission.
Fr. Sam concluded by emphasizing the need for unity across different faiths and sectors, echoing Pope Francis's call for a collaborative approach to environmental issues. He urged everyone to embrace the spirit of the Season of Creation and to build relationships with God, one another, and nature.
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As the sun began to set, the SVD Farm continued its celebration with an ecumenical Prayer for Creation. Held at the enchanting St. Peter Fishpond and Gazebo. The event's location, right in front of the captivating waterfall area and the Ecospirituality Center, perfectly echoed this year's theme for the Season of Creation: "A Mighty River," taken from Amos 5:24.
Rev. Karl Cabanalan, SVD, took the role of host, guiding attendees from the SVD Tagaytay Community and various Chrisian religious and lay communities through a deeply spiritual and ecological experience.
What made the Prayer for Creation truly unique was its multilingual, multicultural, and ecumenical approach. Prayer leaders from different communities recited their parts in their native languages or dialects, ensuring that the message resonated with the diverse audience.
The evening's program began with a warm welcome from Rev. Karl, followed by the opening prayer led by Rev. Fr. Alan Bondoc, SVD.
The "Four Direction Prayer," led by Ms. Marcelina Cacal, Human Resources Manager of the SVD Farm, was a highlight of the event. Instead of a simple recitation of the prayer, Ms. Cacal let the attendees in a solemn active prayer, involving hand and body movements and connecting them with God’s creation in a tangible way.
The responsorial psalm, featuring Psalm 85, was beautifully recited in Bicolano by Dr. Rose Marie Clemeña, volunteer consultant of the SVD Farm. Afterwards, the SVD Tagaytay deacons, made up of fourth-year theology (T4) students of DWST, led the litany of repentance in English, Filipino, and Pidgin. Sr. Azenith Trevenio, CM, from the Carmelite Missionaries, then led a heartfelt moment of repentance.
The first reading was read by Rev. Joshua B. Delos Reyes, School Administrator from the Blessings in the Word Fellowship School. Inc. and Pastor from the Filipino Anabaptist Community, followed by the second reading which was read by Ms. Aiyeen Bueno, SVD lay partner and DWIMS alumna. After the reading of scripture, Bro. John Mark Lopeña, SVD, led an affirmation of faith that resonated deeply with the attendees.
Afterwards, the SVD Tagaytay deacons returned to lead the intercessory prayers, which they recited in Tok Pisin, Waray, Portuguese, Cebuano, and Tingguian. The Lord's Prayer was a similar intercultural effort, with each phrase recited by various employees from the SVD Tagaytay Community in English, Filipino, Cebuano, Kapampangan, Waray, and Bicolano.
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The gathering continued with the sharing of peace and benediction, recited in Filipino and Spanish by Fr. Jhon. After the prayer, Fr. Alex delivered a heartfelt message of thanks, expressing gratitude for the collective commitment to caring for the environment.
In his heartwarming message, Fr. Alex expressed deep gratitude and called for concrete action. He began his message by acknowledging God as the divine origin of all creation, “the source of all goodness for giving us this wonderful gift of creation."
Nevertheless, Fr. Alex reminded the attendees that they must be protective of this gift. "It is indeed a great blessing that we are convinced of the importance of the gift of creation—after all, we only live on one planet Earth. Its growth, its progress, its destruction will always affect us," he said.
In this spirit of thankfulness, Fr. Alex addressed the diverse gathering that had come together to celebrate the culmination of the Year of Creation at the SVD Farm. He highlighted the challenge facing everyone present—to turn the beautiful ecumenical prayer for creation into tangible actions. "Pope Francis gave us some suggestions. One is to live (in a simple way). This one. Another one is to support legislation (which protects) creation. Another one is respecting and promoting more programs which lead us towards the integrity of creation," he said
Fr. Alex urged attendees to translate their commitment into action, emphasizing the significance of this challenge. "There are so many ways, my dear friends, and I believe that this is a challenge to all of us now to make this ecumenical prayer for creation a concrete action to promote and live on this one planet Earth that God has given to us," he said.
Fr. Alex expressed his gratitude to the pastors and leaders from various Christian organizations who participated in the event. His message left attendees with a clear call to action and a renewed sense of purpose, reminding all present of the responsibility to protect and preserve the precious gift of creation.
Finally, the program concluded with the attendees altogether singing the song "Heal the World," a message that echoed the evening's purpose and message. Afterwards, Rev. Karl Cabanalan, SVD, expressing closing remarks and the presentation of certificates to participants, followed by a time of fellowship over coffee and simple snacks.
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The Holy Mass and Outdoor Prayer for Creation left attendees with a profound sense of unity and purpose, reminding all that environmental stewardship is not just a responsibility but a shared spiritual calling. As they departed, hearts were filled with hope, determination, and a renewed commitment to safeguarding our precious planet for future generations.
In a society where there is a growing disconnect from the land and the environment, the SVD Farm serves as a living testament to the transformative power of faith, sustainability, and communion. It is a reminder that we can all be stewards of the Earth, working together to create a more just, sustainable, and spiritually fulfilling world.
The SVD Farm is a shining example of what can be achieved when faith, community, and environmental stewardship come together. It is a living testament to the message of Pope Francis in Laudato Si’, calling us all to care for our common home and live in greater harmony with creation.
As we reflect on the Season of Creation and the ongoing ecological challenges we face, may the story of the SVD Farm inspire us to take action in our own lives to care for the Earth and promote a more sustainable and just world for all.
For reservations and other information, including ways to support and connect with the SVD Farm, contact us through:
📞 0905-106-5499
📧 contact@svdlaudatosifarmfoundation.org.