Religious in India Mark Season of Creation with Tree Planting at Jesuit Eco-Campus

Religious brothers and sisters from the Conference of Religious India (CRI) Patna unit marked the Season of Creation on October 2 by gathering at Tarumitra, a Jesuit ecological initiative in Patna, the capital of Bihar in eastern India.

The gathering brought together members of religious congregations and young people from parishes in and around Patna. It also commemorated the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of ecology.

Fr. Tony Pendanath, SJ, director of Tarumitra, reflected on the biblical vision of creation in Genesis and Ezekiel, emphasizing the importance of water and humanity’s responsibility to live in harmony with creation.

Drawing on the example of St. Francis, he called for simplicity, solidarity and a love that is “boundless, without borders and boundaries.” He also highlighted the challenges posed by global warming, consumerism and unequal access to resources.

The gathering moved from reflection to action as representatives of religious congregations and youth planted saplings on the Tarumitra campus.

A Eucharistic celebration followed, offering participants an opportunity to give thanks for creation and renew their commitment to its care.

Fr. Daniel Raj, SJ, vice president of the local CRI unit, shared a personal experience in his homily to illustrate the meaning of generosity and solidarity.

Recalling his years of regency, he described how villagers with very few resources offered him shelter during heavy rain. They brought an umbrella that was itself full of holes because it was all they had.

The experience, he said, taught him that generosity was not about having enough to give but about giving from whatever one had. The memory later influenced his own commitment to sharing his time and resources with others.

Tarumitra, meaning “Friends of Trees,” was founded in Patna in 1988 through the vision of the late Fr. Robert Athickal, SJ. The initiative promotes ecological awareness, biodiversity, eco-spirituality and responsible care for creation.

Its campus has developed into a center for environmental education and ecological action. Tarumitra’s work has also extended beyond India, and the organization received Special Consultative Status with UNESCO in 2005.

Participants at the gathering remembered Fr. Robert, who died in July, for establishing a space where ecological concern could be translated into practical action and community engagement.

The gathering concluded with participants sharing a meal under the trees on the campus, reinforcing the focus on simplicity, community and connection with creation.

For the religious and young people who participated, the Season of Creation gathering combined prayer, reflection and practical action, emphasizing that care for the environment can become part of everyday Christian life.