“Learning how to live wisely, to think deeply and to love generously.” – Laudato Si’, N. 47
Pray for Creation
“Learning how to live wisely, to think deeply and to love generously.” – Laudato Si’, N. 47
Prayer to Care for Our Common Home
This prayer is based on Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home.
Father of all,
Creator and ruler of the universe,
You entrusted your world to us as a gift.
Help us to care for it and all people,
that we may live in right relationship–
with You,
with ourselves,
with one another,
and with creation.
Christ our Lord,
both divine and human,
You lived among us and died for our sins.
Help us to imitate your love for the human family
by recognizing that we are all connected—
to our brothers and sisters around the world,
to those in poverty impacted by environmental devastation,
and to future generations.
Holy Spirit,
giver of wisdom and love,
You breathe life in us and guide us.
Help us to live according to your vision,
stirring to action the hearts of all—
individuals and families,
communities of faith,
and civil and political leaders.
Triune God, help us to hear the cry of those in poverty, and the cry of the earth, so that we may together care for our common home.
Amen.
Care for God’s Creation Prayer
This prayer is based on number 2 of Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home Encyclical Letter.
God of all creation,
How splendid and majestic is the world you created!
It reveals your glory; it teaches us about you.
When you made us in your image,
you gave us this command:
care for the world and for all the creatures in it,
for this is our common home.
Yet your holy creation cries out,
for our home is “burdened and laid waste,”
scorched and scarred.
Come among us
that we might remember our interdependence.
Let us see the face of your Son in those who suffer
from the destruction of our common home.
Help us to be stewards
who honor you in the world you have made
for the good of all creation
and for future generations.
May your justice reign forever!
Amen.
Learn About Creation
“Learning how to live wisely, to think deeply and to love generously.” – Laudato Si’, N. 47
Full-Text
Overview
This document from the Vatican Information Service offers a general overview of the Laudato Si’ Encyclical Letter.
One-Page Summary
This is a good summary of the structure and basic content of the Laudato Si’ Encyclical Letter.
Discussion Guide
This is a discussion guide from the USCCB.
Video Summary
For a summary of the Laudato Si’ document, watch this video produced by the Catholic Agency For Overseas Development:
Lecture Series
This FREE course, originally developed by Sustainable Development Solutions Network in partnership with the Pontifical Council of Justice and Peace and the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, provides an overview of the main themes and messages of Laudato Si’.
Quotes from Church Teaching on Ecology
This document offers a collection of quotations from Blessed Pope Paul VI, Saint John Paul II, and Benedict XVI, among others, on issues connected to the environment.
Safeguarding the Environment
Here is what the Compendium of Catholic Social Doctrine states regarding safeguarding the environment.
Act for Creation
“Learning how to live wisely, to think deeply and to love generously.” – Laudato Si’, N. 47
How Can You Respond
As Catholics, we are called to uphold life and the dignity of each human person, support families, look after future generations, love the poor and vulnerable, and care for all of God’s creation. These are among the many topics that are connected to the teachings of Laudato Si’ which demand an immediate response on our behalf.
Here are some suggestions on things you, your family, your parish, and your community can do today to protect the earth for our children and grandchildren.
Review Your Consumption Habits
Laudato Si’ makes a very powerful case for the need for each one of us to carefully evaluate our consumption habits and lifestyle. Simple things that can be done in this field include using reusable water bottles, take shorter showers, walk or bike as much as you can, or take public transportation instead of driving, recycle and compost food waste, as well as buying efficient appliances. A good place to start the process could be using the tool that is available here to calculate your carbon footprint.
Raise Awareness
Organize or participate in activities to raise awareness of the challenges of climate change.
Make changes institutionally (at your Parish, School, or Workplace)
Start recycling and composting in your parish, school, or workplace. Use washable dinnerware in cafeterias, share electronically instead of printing, conduct an energy audit, and install solar panels.
Support Local Efforts
Join local efforts of groups working with elected officials and community leaders to explore ways that your local community can better care for the environment: planting trees, reducing harmful emissions, and improving public transportation. Find out what is going on locally in connection with these matters and get involved.
Monitor Legislation and Advocate
Monitor legislation going before the state and federal legislature connected to climate, emissions, or energy policies. Urge legislators to remember that people who live in poverty are the ones that may suffer the most because of climate change. Participate in advocacy initiatives aiming to raise awareness among your legislators about the dignity of each human person (from the unborn to the elderly and the sick) and the need for us to look after future generations.
Take the Pledge to Care for the Creation
The St. Francis Pledge is a promise and a commitment by Catholic individuals, families, parishes, organizations, and institutions to live our faith by protecting God’s Creation and advocating on behalf of people in poverty who face the harshest impacts of global climate change. To join the Covenant, you commit to act on each of the five elements of the St. Francis Pledge: pray, learn, assess, act, and advocate.
Visit the Catholic Climate Covenant Web Page
Visit the Catholic Climate Covenant web page for further resources and action suggestions on matters connected with the care of our common home.
Visit the Environment Section of the USCCB Website for Advocacy Efforts and Other Resources
Visit the section of the USCCB website dedicated to the environment to learn more about the advocacy efforts of the US Bishops on environmental issues.
Action Alerts and Advocacy Updates
Sign up to receive USCCB Action Alerts and Advocacy Updates on environmental topics.
