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Laudato Si

Praise Be to You, Lord

Care for Our Common Home

In 2015, Pope Francis published his encyclical, Laudato Si, inviting the whole world, on every level, to transform the way we live in order to protect the life of our planet and all creatures, especially those living in poverty. In 2023, in Laudate Deum, he heightens the urgency of the need to respond to the climate crisis with concrete global actions. As Daughters of Charity, we continue our journey to integral ecology, from the perspective of “fair share,” which means we use our resources in ways that allow for others’ needs now and for future generations.

We realize that those who are poor are the most vulnerable and the first to be threatened by the climate crisis. The Province of St. Louise is in year 3 of our Laudato Si Action Plan of actions and advocacy to bring about transformation to support sustainable practices. See some of the steps in our journey toward sustainability and integral ecology in our local communities and ministries.

Header photo: ephemeral art from the Seton Harvest summer camp

LSAP

How We're Living Laudato Si

LSAP Dax

Laudato Si Vincentian Community Garden at the Birthplace of St. Vincent de Paul in Dax, France

ECOLOGICAL SPIRITUALITY: We contemplate and celebrate the gifts of God’s Creation by developing prayers and reflections which explicitly connect to our Vincentian spirituality and charism. We also celebrate Seasons of Creation which begins September 1, World Day of Prayer for Creation and concludes on October 4, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.

ECOLOGICAL EDUCATION: We encourage sisters to inform sisters of what is happening throughout the province through the “Laudato Si Newsletters.”

ADOPTION OF SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLES: We embrace formation and education on care of our “common home” and change our behaviors to practice integral ecology in our local communities. Each sister assumes personal responsibility for her actions which impact the demise of our common home and negatively impacts those living in poverty.  Examples of living this out: Composting in local community houses, carpooling, reducing the amount of beef eaten.

RESPONSE TO THE CRY OF THE EARTH: We are working to implement a land management plan in Emmitsburg, MD in collaboration with our grounds crew and Mount St. Mary’s University.  We are in the final stages of completing a study of an Entomology study with University of Southern Indiana on the Evansville Campus. 

RESPONSE TO THE CRY OF THE POOR: Promoters of the Province participate in Land Justice training to better understand structural racism.

ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS: We will continue to invest based on Justice and Care of Creation (we do not invest in fossil fuels). 

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & PARTICIPATION: We are exploring solar energy on the Emmitsburg and Evansville Campus’ with Catholic Energies.