“The Symbol for the Season of Creation 2025 is the Garden of Peace inspired by Isaiah 32:14-18.
“The symbol is characterized by a dove carrying an olive branch bringing life to the Garden of Peace. In the Biblical story of the flood, the dove plays the role of the blessed messenger: The dove sent out by Noah returns to the ark with a fresh olive branch in its beak, signalling that the flood is receding.
“As the flood story begins with a situation where “the earth is filled with violence” (Genesis 6:13), the return of the dove with the olive branch came to be known as a sign of new peace.
The Biblical text for this year is Isaiah 32:14-18. The symbol shows two sides – On one side, the tree is barren and the landscape exploited. On the other side, the tree is lush and green, in a flourishing landscape. Above is a dove, carrying an olive branch in its beak
“The prophet Isaiah pictured the desolated Creation without peace because of the lack of justice and the broken relationship between God and humankind. This description of devastated cities and wastelands eloquently stresses the fact that human destructive behaviours have a negative impact on the Earth.
“Our hope: Creation will find peace when justice is restored. There is still hope and the expectation for a peaceful Earth.
“To hope in a biblical context does not mean to stand still and quiet, but to act, pray, change, and reconcile with Creation and the Creator in unity, repentance, and solidarity.”