Indian School Marks Season of Creation with Nature Walk and Water Conservation Lessons

Students of Nazareth Academy in Mokama, a town in Bihar state in eastern India, marked the Season of Creation with a nature walk around their school and convent campus on October 2, learning about biodiversity and the importance of conserving water.

The activity also commemorated the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, whose spirituality emphasized respect for all creatures and care for the natural world.

Accompanied by Sr. Elize Lobo SCN, vice principal of the school, the students explored the campus, observing trees, flowers, birds, insects and other forms of life. Their questions and discoveries turned the familiar surroundings into an opportunity to learn about the interconnectedness of creation.

A key stop was Poustinia, the convent garden, where a pond drew the students’ attention to the importance of water as a resource essential to all living beings.

Sr. Elize highlighted the need to conserve water and protect natural sources that sustain life, encouraging the students to recognize their responsibility to care for the environment.

The school also organized drawing, poem recitation, speeches and a skit to help students express their appreciation for nature and reflect on their role in protecting the planet.

The activities reflected the spirit of the Season of Creation, an annual Christian observance from September 1 to October 4 that invites individuals and communities to pray, reflect and take practical action for the protection of the Earth, their common home.

The celebration drew inspiration from Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh’s words, “Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet,” which encourage mindfulness and reverence in the way people relate to the natural world.

The observance also recalled St. Francis of Assisi, whose 800th death anniversary is being commemorated in 2026. Known for his deep love of creation, St. Francis described elements of the natural world as brothers and sisters, expressing a vision of kinship with all creatures.

Through the nature walk and creative activities, Nazareth Academy sought to help students connect ecological awareness with everyday actions. The experience encouraged them to look beyond the classroom, recognize the value of the life around them and take greater responsibility for conserving water and caring for creation.