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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.

You can view our Laudato Is Action Platform here.

Header photo: Bees hard at work in Evansville, IN at Bee Sisters Apiary.

LSAP

How We're Living Laudato Si

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Letter writing campaign with our Sisters in Evansville, Indiana

ECOLOGICAL SPIRITUALITY: Pope Francis invites us to the Jubilee Year of Hope: “a Holy Year marked by the hope that does not fade, our hope in God. May it help us to recover the confident trust that we require, in the Church and in society, in our interpersonal relationships, in international relations, and in our task of promoting the dignity of all persons and respect for God’s gift of creation. May the witness of believers be for our world a leaven of authentic hope, a harbinger of new heavens and a new earth (cf. 2 Pet 3:13), where men and women will dwell in justice and harmony, in joyful expectation of the fulfilment of the Lord’s promises. (SPES NON CONFUNDIT. “Hope does not disappoint”, 25)

This year also marks the 50th Anniversary of the Canonization of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. Let us be inspired by her love of God’s creation: “every little leaf and flower or animal, insect, shades of clouds, or waving trees, objects of vacant unconnected thoughts of God and heaven” (in Dear Remembrances, Collected Writings, 3a-511.)

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. In 2025, we will work to put a no idling campaign into practice at our campuses.

RESPONSE TO THE CRY OF THE EARTH: Mount St. Mary’s University and Seminary students helped transplant native perennials to new areas for cultivation, and began winter sowing of native seeds to continue to promote biodiversity in the land in Emmitsburg. In Evansville, reforestation efforts are underway to restore the land.

RESPONSE TO THE CRY OF THE POOR: 15 sisters have participated in The Land Is Not Our Own: Seeking Repair Alongside Indigenous Communities, a JustFaith Program.  Sisters are working to educate others and build relationships with indigenous communities in the areas we serve.

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

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & PARTICIPATION: The Sisters at Seton Residence in Evansville, Indiana participated in a letter-writing campaign and lobbied in Indianapolis for Community Solar to make solar energy available for all. Sisters and church members in Emmitsburg and Baltimore, Maryland signed petitions and lobbied in Annapolis with Maryland Catholics for our Common Home to bring Catholic Social Teaching values to state legislation.