The Laudato Sì Movement is eight years old: ecological conversion calls us to prayer in action
With Laudato sì, in 2015, Pope Francis called us to an ecological conversion, that is, to “become painfully aware, to dare to transform what is happening in the world into personal suffering, and thus recognise what contribution each one can bring (LS 19) …God, calling us to generous dedication and to give everything, offers us the strength and the light we need to move forward. In the heart of this world, the Lord of life who loves us so much remains ever present. He does not abandon us, He does not leave us alone, because He has united Himself permanently with our land, and His love always leads us to find new paths. Praise be to Him!“ (LS 245).
The MCMC (World Catholic Climate Movement) founded in 2015 in response to the Pope’s call to heal and renew our common home, defines ecological conversion as the “transformation of hearts and minds towards a greater love for God, for others and for creation. It is a process of recognising our contribution to the social and ecological crisis and acting in ways that nurture communion” (Source: https://laudatosimovement.org/it/news/cose-una-conversione-ecologica-it-news/).
(Fonte: https://laudatosimovement.org/).
Since July 2021, the World Catholic Climate Movement has been transformed into the Laudato Sì Movement, currently counting more than 900 member organisations, including our Congregation, and thousands of believers committed to promoting innovative campaigns to put Laudato sì into practice. The new name chosen, after internal discernment at all levels, certainly refers back to the encyclical Laudato Sì, but also roots the commitment to care for our common home in the ancient Psalm 148 1-5.
Image: 18th century Orthodox icon depicting the praise of God by all creatures
The name chosen is already an invitation to relearn how to pray in the wake of a tradition that comes to us from the 2nd-3rd century B.C.: ‘By teaching us to pray,’ said Benedict XVI, ‘the Psalms teach us that even in desolation, even in sorrow, God’s presence is a source of wonder and consolation; we can weep, plead, intercede, but in the knowledge that we are walking towards the light, where praise can be definitive’.
(Fonte: https://www.vatican.va).
“Praise the Lord from heaven, praise him in the highest.
Praise him, all you, his angels, praise him, all you, his hosts.
Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars.
Praise him, you waters above the heavens.
Let them all praise the name of the Lord
For he said and they were created.”
Download the entire salm: www.laparola.net.
GRETA THUNBERG ALSO RETURNED TO THE FIGHT
FOR A LIFE-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT
Photo: www.repubblica.it
Here it is again, as it was five years ago, this time in Germany, to protest against the causes of CO2 emissions and carry on the fight against fossil fuels together with protesters intent on blocking the German energy giant RWE, which wants, in the small village of Lützerath, to reclaim land to expand the nearby Garzweiler coal mine in order to extract 280 million tonnes of lignite (coal) by 2030.
Photo: www.repubblica.it
Sadly, Greta’s participation is now no longer newsworthy, indeed… After being acclaimed and received at the highest world level, following her peaceful protest that started in 2018 in Sweden, now her arrest leaves almost indifferent and the Friday for Future movement is also affected.
URGENT NEED TO PUT OUR LIST OF
ACTIONS OF DAILY CO-RESPONSIBILITY
promoted in the framework of Justice and Peace initiatives
to operationally decline
the Congregation’s Position on Integral Ecology