Laudato Si’ Week, a celebration of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’ and a call to action for Catholics around the world, is being celebrated 16-24 May, 2022.
Throughout Laudato Si’ Week, you and your community are encouraged to join us in reflecting and acting to bring Laudato Si’ to life.
Laudato Si’ Week ends, but the challenge continues!
From the Encyclical
“God, who calls us to generous commitment and to give him our all, offers us the light and strength needed to continue on our way … (God’s) love constantly impels us to find new ways forward.” Laudato Si’ n.245.
For Reflection
Our church, cultural and civic calendars signpost many days and weeks of significance that contribute to a rich fabric of remembrance, recognition, and renewal. Laudato Si’ Week has been a time of invitation and challenge for all people of good will, however continuing to move forward will take creativity and commitment.
Laudato Si’ was gifted to the world by Pope Francis on this day seven years ago. We are now invited to engage in a seven-year journey towards seven Laudato Si’ Goals derived from the encyclical. The Laudato Si’ Action Platform is a space for institutions, communities, and families to learn and grow together as we journey towards full sustainability in the holistic spirit of integral ecology. It provides tools for community building, resource sharing, and the discernment of Laudato Si’ Action Plans.
Our Bishops’ Conference has already enrolled in the Laudato Si’ Action Platform and we hope to see broad engagement with the Platform among parishes, dioceses, religious orders, schools, businesses, farming communities, and organisations. We know that there is more than enough leadership, commitment, and imagination in the church in Australia to realise the vision of the Platform.
Let us continue to walk together on a seven-year journey to towards greater love for our Creator, each other, and the home that we share.
Prayer
On this, the Solemnity of Our Lady Help of Christians, patron of our land, we pray:
God of new life, in Mary, you enable us to look at this world with eyes of wisdom (LS n. 241).
We give thanks for the blessings of Laudato Si Week:
delight and discomfort, questions, and concerns.
We give thanks for the Easter challenge to engage with our world beyond the tomb of death and despair.
With St Francis and his namesake, may we be instruments of peace in our fragile world.
With the promise of the Holy Spirit, may we find space in our busy lives to discern, dialogue and dream;
may we take up the commitment to creation set before us by the Gospel of Jesus (LS n. 246).
We make this prayer in the name of Jesus, our risen Lord, through the power of the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Amen
Our Lady, Help of Christians – pray for us.
St Mary of the Cross MacKillop – pray for us.
Laudato Si’ mi Signore!
Action
Head: Familiarise yourself with the Laudato Si’ Action Platform.
Heart: Meditate on each phrase of the final prayer in the encyclical, A Christian prayer in union with creation (LS n 246).
Hands: Introduce the Laudato Si’ Action Platform in your context. Use a collaborative process to develop a plan with realistic goals. Network with others to share and celebrate your achievements across the seven Laudato Si’ Goals.
With thanks to the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference’s Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace.
