"Laudato Si", the encyclical written by Pope Francis, on
the care for our common home, marks its fifth anniversary this May 24, 2020.
Issued on Pentecost 2015, the third year of the Holy Father Francis as pope, Laudato Si,
calls on each one all over the world to be vigilant in caring for our common
home.
The first paragraph of the encyclical reads:
LAUDATO SI’, mi’ Signore” – “Praise be to you, my
Lord”. In the words of this beautiful canticle, Saint Francis of Assisi reminds
us that our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a
beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us. “Praise be to you, my Lord,
through our Sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and who produces
various fruit with coloured flowers and herbs”.[1]
Global Catholic Climate Movement- Pilipinas, which spearheads activities in the country in coordination with the different religious congregations, has prepared webinars and conferences online that encourage various groups to participate in this worldwide event.
In his encyclical, Pope Francis brought to the people
on What is happening to our Common Home? He identified pollution and climate
change, the issue of water, the loss of biodiversity, the decline in the
quality of human life and the breakdown of society, global inequality as some
of the reasons for the deterioration of our common home. He also cited the weak
responses of the people especially those in position of leadership, a leadership
“capable of striking out on new paths and meeting the needs of the present with
concern for all and without prejudice towards coming generations .”
Pope Francis called on all who can enter into dialogue
with one another so that we can develop comprehensive solutions to this
situation.
GCCM has also conducted seminars before the lockdown
and is continuing its advocacy through webinars and online meetings.
In the 2015 Congregational Chapter Statement of the RGS, sisters and
lay mission partners wrote, “We explored
with fresh enthusiasm spirituality that nourishes our relationship with God and
challenges us to recognize our interconnectedness with the whole of creation
which obliges us to protect our common home.”
In the Province of Philippines-Japan, the sisters in
the Provincialate, also offered prayers and petitions as a remembrance of the
fifth anniversary of Laudato Si.
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A
Prayer for our Earth By Pope Francis*
All-powerful
God, you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your
creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists. Pour
out upon us the power of your love, that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace, that we may live as brothers and
sisters, harming no one. O God of the poor, help us to rescue the abandoned and
forgotten of this earth, so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the
world and not prey on it, that we may sow beauty, not pollution and
destruction.
Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain at the
expense of the poor and the earth. Teach us to discover the worth of each
thing, to be filled with awe and contemplation, to recognize that we are
profoundly united with every creature as we journey towards your infinite
light.
We thank you for being with us each day. Encourage us,
we pray, in our struggle for justice, love and peace. Amen.