Photo by Erika Giraud
Laudato Si’ Week 2022, which takes place from 22 to 29 May, is an important opportunity for communities to listen and respond to the cry of creation, reflect on the progress they have made in bringing Laudato Si’ to life, and intensify their efforts through the Laudato Si’ Action Platform.
Community action brings this global celebration to life. Communities are invited to bring their creativity and gifts to the planning of prayer services, tree plantings, readings of the encyclical, or exhibits of children’s art about creation, among other ideas.
By registering an event or action via the official Laudato Si’ Week website, communities will receive the latest information and useful materials to support activities.
If creating a local event isn’t feasible, communities may also attend the Laudato Si’ Week official events online.
Local communities play a vital role in Laudato Si’ Week 2022.
As Hillary John, Laudato Si’ Movement’s Uganda Chapter Leader shares, “Laudato Si’ Week is an exciting chance for local communities across the world to take action to protect our common home–bringing together people of all ages to celebrate and reflect on the gifts of creation. Communities are at the heart of Laudato Si’ Week, and we are grateful to recognize and celebrate their continued devotion and commitment to bringing Laudato Si’ to life. As we welcome Laudato Si’ Week 2022, we welcome a time for communities to come together and take meaningful action to create a better future.”
For religious communities, as Sr. Sheila Kinsey, FCJM, Executive Co-Secretary for the Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Commission of the Union of Superior Generals and International Union of Superior Generals, notes: “During Laudato Si’ Week, many religious will be reflecting even more deeply on issues that are core to our values. Caring for our common home is woven into the fabric of many religious communities. Sowing Hope for the Planet, which offers an opportunity to make a difference in our care of the planet, was born out of the tremendous momentum around integral ecology that has existed within religious communities for decades. Laudato Si’ Week is a time for us to deepen and expand our local efforts as part of a global movement.”
Institutions also have a key role to play in Laudato Si’ Week, as Lorna Gold, Director of Movement Building at FaithInvest, shares: “Laudato Si’ Week is an opportunity for institutions to make bold decisions about how they protect the planet and its people. Many institutions are taking this time to reflect on how our faith can inform our financial decisions. We’re called to consider how every aspect of our work–from how we power the lights to our choices in banking, insurance, and investments–is an opportunity to align with our values. Laudato Si’ Week is a wonderful opportunity to reflect and connect with others.”
We look forward to journeying together through this exciting week of celebration, reflection, and action.