The staff of the Irish Jesuit Curia gathered to plant a willow tree outside the Province headquarters in Milltown Park on Monday 4 October 2021 at 2 pm (see photo).

They were taking part in a Province-wide tree-planting project suggested by the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice as a fitting way to mark the end of the Season of Creation. The fourth of October was designated as National Tree Day 2021, as well as being the feast day of St Francis of Assisi, renowned for his love of animals and nature.

It was fitting that a willow tree was chosen, as tree surgeons had that very day recommended the removal of a dying willow just beside the spot where the new tree was planted.

Bill Toner SJ gave a powerful, impromptu blessing for all gathered there. He gave gratitude for the gift of nature and of trees that purify the air, taking in toxic carbon dioxides and giving back oxygen, the breath of life for all creation. He prayed that people, on this special day, would strengthen and renew their commitment to ‘care for the earth, our common home’.

Meanwhile, other Jesuit works, schools and communities were planting trees in their own patch of land. Dr Ciara Murphy, Environmental Policy Advocate with the JCFJ, who instigated this project, gives the following report