Laudato Si'

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In 2015, Pope Francis released the encyclical Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home. He called on us to hear the cry of the poor and the cry of the earth and respond to their needs, reminding us that “An admirable creativity and generosity is shown by persons and groups who respond to environmental limitations by alleviating the adverse effects of their surroundings and learning to orient their lives amid disorder and uncertainty” (148).

On 4 October 2023, on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, in the apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum: To all the People of Good Will on the Climate Crises, Pope Francis writes:

Eight years have passed since I published the Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’, when I wanted to share with all of you, my brothers and sisters of our suffering planet, my heartfelt concerns about the care of our common home. Yet, with the passage of time, I have realized that our responses have not been adequate, while the world in which we live is collapsing and may be nearing the breaking point. In addition to this possibility, it is indubitable that the impact of climate change will increasingly prejudice the lives and families of many persons. We will feel its effects in the areas of healthcare, sources of employment, access to resources, housing, forced migrations, etc. (Laudate Deum, LD 2)

In Laudate Deum, Pope Francis invites each of us to reduce pollution and waste, and to consume with prudence (LD, 71) and that our care for one another and care for our earth are intimately bound together (LD, 3).

Over the next year, we will be inviting each person, each household, each community and faith community to consider what small steps can be take in response to the cry of the poor and the cry of earth for “Everything is connected” and “No one is saved alone” (LD, 19)

Helpful Links to Vatican Resources    

• Click here to read Laudato Si' Pope Francis' encyclical letter, issued May 24, 2015, on "Care for our Common Home." 

Integral Ecology

The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development recently announced a special Laudato Si’ anniversary year from May 24, 2020 to May 24, 2021. A major theme in Pope Francis’ Laudato Si' is Integral Ecology. A beautifully designed brochure has been prepared by the diocese to help promote a deeper understanding of Integral Ecology. It includes a summary of the main concepts and a list of actions people can take to protect the environment. To support the anniversary year and the important messages in Laudato Si’, find ways to share this information with all who might be interestes "It is hoped anniversary year and the ensuing decade will indeed be a time of grace, a true Kairos experience and “Jubilee” time for the Earth, and for humanity, and for all God’s creatures." 
 

Laudato Si' Circles 

In Laudato Si‘, Pope Francis invites us to listen to and respond to the cry of the Earth and to the cry of those who are poor. In parishes throughout the world, parishioners are coming together to form Laudato Si’ Circles.

They are committing themselves to working for ecological conversion, deepening their relationship with God and with others and all of creation. Pastoral team members and parishioners would come together to pray, to study the encyclical, to read the signs of the times and to respond to the cry of the earth and the cry of our brothers and sisters who are poor. Consider creating and promoting a Laudato Si’ Circle in your parish or community. For more information please see an introductory infographic we have prepared at this link.