WALK OF CREATION 2022
Walk for Creation 2022
by Marjorie Engcoy, Columban Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Animator-Mindanao
For this year’s Season of Creation, the Columban JPIC desk, based in Cagayan de Oro City, worked closely with the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro – Agro-Ecology Ministry, along with other non-government organizations, in designing and organizing activities for the season. The Season of Creation was launched during the Fiesta Mass of St. Augustine, the patron of the archdiocese.
In the early morning of September 1, 2022, the core committee, spearheaded by Miss Donna Echalico, led the Walk for Creation of the year. The activity began with a Eucharistic celebration attended by most of the participants. This was followed by the Cosmic Walk. The Cosmic Walk is a reflective walk which uses and reflects upon the New Creation storyline (divided in 14 significant points in the evolution history), instead of the traditional Stations of the Cross. It started in front of the Bishop’s House and ended at the Grotto of Birhen sa Kota located inside the Duaw sa Kagayan Park.
1st Station- Cosmic Walk in front of Bishop’s House
Cosmic Walk Station in front of the Cathedral
During the second part of the event, the theme of the Season of Creation was expounded on through the presentation of a short video courtesy of the Laudato Si’ Movements. It was followed by the video messages of Pope Francis and of Bishop Jose Cabantan about our responsibility as children of God towards our co-creatures in this Earth. Thereafter, a presentation of the ‘Voices of Creation’ emphasized a few important elements of nature which has great influence in the existence of human beings. It spoke about the ecological deafness and the sins of humans causing all the irregularities leading to the abuse of God’s wonderful work of love. These voices of creation reminded us that we need the rest of creation to survive; but creation does not need us to thrive. To conclude the program, a simple and short ritual of reconciliation and renewal of commitment to care for the Earth was facilitated. Once again, the challenge and encouragement to stay authentic and proactive in our commitment to care for the earth was raised loudly despite the noise of the bustling city in the morning.
The Walk for Creation was participated by some parishioners from Barra-Igpit parish led by their parish priests, the junior seminarians of the Archdiocese, Columban Missionaries, staff of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, and student volunteers from the University of Science and Technology of The Philippines (USTP). Before heading their separate ways, the group shared a simple breakfast courtesy of some donors. Blessed by the Creator with good and favorable weather, the participants went back to their respective communities, hopefully with renewed spirit in the cause to uphold the dignity of God’s creation.
Junior Seminarians of San Jose of Mindanao
Organizers of the Walk for Creation 2022
This was my first Walk of Creation — as an organizer and participant. Because of this opportunity, I realized that the world can be too noisy at times, that we fail to listen to what is important around us. We are busy juggling too many priorities, despite the lack of a clear direction on what we want During the preparations, it was clear to me that we are still stuck with the mindset of stewardship in terms of our role in the care for creation. But we are not just stewards in this masterpiece, we are part of it. It is my fervent prayer and hope that this call to ‘listen to the voice of creation’ will lead us to transcend towards kinship with our co-creatures.
Group Photo of the Participants of the Walk for Creation 2022
Reconciliation and Renewal of Commitment Ritual