By Christina Bagaglio Slentz
In July, many of us will sing blessings upon the United States of America as we celebrate the country’s 249th birthday.
The third- largest country in the world, the U.S. and its territories have a total area of more than 3.8 million square miles and 95,451 miles of coastline. Rivers, lakes, inlets, and coastal territory account for 7% of this total area, or 270,000 square miles. Endowed with one of the most diverse topographies and climates of any region, the nation supports a broader array of ecosystems than any other nation on Earth and is home to more than 200,000 known species of plants, animals, and microbes. To live in the United States is most certainly a great gift and deserving of thanksgiving.
Most biodiverse diocese?
The Western United States, in particular, offers spectacular natural features. Mountains, forests, and some of the world’s hottest deserts dominate the West, all of which are found right here in the Diocese of San Diego. San Diego’s dramatic coastline adds scenic beaches, salt marshes, and tidal flats along with hundreds of marine and coastal bird, fish, and invertebrate species, making San Diego America’s most biodiverse county. As the Diocese of San Diego also includes the ecological richness of Imperial County, we can confidently argue we are “America’s Most Biodiverse Diocese!”
The abundance and beauty of this land undoubtedly explain its draw and the devotion of its people. Do you have a favorite place in this great land of ours? A favorite native plant or animal? What is it about this land that you love?
A source of wonder and awe
Pope Francis writes in his encyclical “Laudato Si,” “The entire material universe speaks of God’s love, his boundless affection for us. Soil, water, mountains: everything is, as it were, a caress of God. The history of our friendship with God is always linked to particular places which take on an intensely personal meaning; we all remember places, and revisiting those memories does us much good. Anyone who has grown up in the hills or used to sit by the spring to drink, or played outdoors in the neighborhood square; going back to these places is a chance to recover something of their true selves.”
This month, how might we pause to contemplate the natural wonder of American places, especially those that are dear in our memories? How might we reflect on the history of our friendship with God encountered in the majesty of creation? Step away from the busyness of the world and take time to remember a favorite place — the sights, sounds, and smells there; the feeling of awe; the sense of peace and goodness. Rest in this memory of God’s caress!
Reviving our ‘true selves’
Our ancient Catholic teachings call us to care for God’s creation as a loving response to this great gift. If we are honest with ourselves, it is easy to take the gift of creation for granted.
Developing a sense of ecological spirituality — seeing the vestiges of God in all things and recognizing our interconnectedness to all of creation — powerfully reopens the door to encounter God and gives us an opportunity to revive something of our true selves. How might you share this awareness in your family? In your parish or school? How might such a revival offer our nation collective healing and recovery?
To get started, consider joining Creation Care activities during this year’s Season of Creation, Sept. 1 to Oct. 4, the Feast of Saint Francis. All are welcome to our diocesan Season of Creation Mass at 4:30 p.m., Sept. 20, at The Immaculata Parish.
Register and find more details at bit.ly/SOC25Mass. Children and youth are also invited to our annual art contest; register at bit.ly/SOCArt2025. To be kept abreast of these upcoming events, sign up at bit.ly/SOC25Interest. Questions? Contact Christina Slentz at cslentz@sdcatholic.org.
