The Garden Connection – September 2025 | St. Hildegard, the Season of Creation, and the Greening Life of God

As the Church observes the Season of Creation, the writings of St. Hildegard of Bingen remind us of viriditas – the “greening” life of God that animates all creation. Gardens can become places where this vitality is experienced in tangible ways, inviting attentiveness to growth, renewal, and the presence of God in the natural world.

This issue of The Garden Connection reflects on the connection between spirituality and the rhythms of the seasons, while inviting participation in the CGN Community Forum as a space to share experiences, encouragement, and what is growing in different places.

Read the full newsletter:
https://mailchi.mp/85d33341c2f9/the-garden-connection

Dear Friends,

Happy feast of St. Hildegard of Bingen! Her vision of viriditas – the “greening” life of God – animates our gardens and our work. As the Season of Creation (Sept 1–Oct 4) continues and the autumn Ember Days begin today (Sept 17, 19 & 20), we’re opening wide the gates of the CGN Community Forum on the CGN website. Come say hello, share a tip or a photo, and tell us what’s growing where you are.

Blessings,

– The CGN Team

Garden Spotlight: CMC Rain Garden (Madison, WI)

Located on the campus of the Catholic Multicultural Center (CMC) in Madison, this 600‑sq‑ft rain garden – established in 2014 – was planned and designed by low‑income and immigrant neighbors through bilingual (English/Spanish) workshops, including a community‑written educational sign. It slows and filters stormwater, creates native habitat, and brings beauty to an urban, industrial corridor; a small volunteer team cares for it with support from CMC staff. Native plants include prairie smoke, mountain mint, New England aster, Joe‑Pye weed, and yellow coneflower. Check it out in the CGN Garden Directory HERE.

Share Your Garden Story 🌱
How is your garden building community, nourishing neighbors, and caring for creation? We’ll feature one story each month. Reply to this email to send your story.

Ember Days (Sept 17, 19 & 20)Today begins the autumn Ember Days – an optional Catholic rhythm of prayer, simple fasting, and thanksgiving for the harvest. In September we remember the grape harvest: fruit of the vine that nourishes us and, in the Mass, is lifted to God as a sign of His grace. These days invite us to see creation with sacramental eyes and to give thanks for farmers and all who tend the earth.How might you keep these Ember Days? Try a short morning or evening prayer, share a portion of your harvest with a neighbor or pantry, or “fast from food waste” by planning meals around what you already have.

Season of Creation continues through Oct 4 Earlier this month the Church observed the 10th World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. Echoing Pope Leo’s message, we live this year’s theme – “Seeds of Peace and Hope” – through prayer and practical care for our common home. We’ll close the Season on Oct 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi.

Garden Saints of September Sept 14: St. Notburga Tyrolean laywoman and patron of farm workers, remembered for honoring time for worship during harvest and for generous care of those in need – linking fieldwork and mercy. Sept 17: St. Hildegard of Bingen Benedictine abbess and Doctor of the Church whose writings celebrate viriditas – the “greening” life of God in creation – uniting prayer, music, and herbal wisdom.Sept 26: Sts. Cosmas & Damian Twin physician-martyrs associated with the healing arts and monastery herb (“physic”) gardens – patrons for those who grow and use medicinal herbs.

St. Notburga Sept 27: St. Vincent de Paul Seventeenth-century priest renowned for practical charity and organizing help for the poor; a natural companion to donation gardens and gleaning.