This coming June will mark two years since Pope Francis launched his first Encyclical, “Laudato Si’, mi Signore, Praise be to you, my Lord”. Our Holy Father begins by quoting the beautiful canticle of Saint Francis of Assisi who 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. Pope Francis reaches out to all human beings immediately by addressing everyone: “In this Encyclical, I would like to enter into dialogue with all people about our common home.” (3)

Following in the footsteps of previous pontiffs, Pope Francis’ long-awaited message joins the rich heritage of Catholic social teaching. On a fractious planet where indigenous beg that we pay attention, where refugees wander the globe, where entire species are disappearing, where our oceans are contaminated, where droughts and floods increase, women and men, young and older, from all walks of life, are looking for moral, spiritual and ethical leadership that responds to the reality experienced. Pope Francis does not disappoint.

Rather than being merely “the eco-encyclical”, Laudato Si’ calls all humanity and especially Catholic Christians to be who we are called to be, citizens of the world, on fire with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and who are committed to the common good.

The evenings of February 8th, 15th, 22nd, offer an opportunity to take a closer look at Laudato – Si’, to taste its wisdom, to absorb the Love-Energy of our Incarnate God, and to nourish our identity and commitment as Catholic Christians living at this time in history.

In the words of Pope Francis: “God, who calls us to generous commitment and to give him our all, offers us the light and the strength needed to continue on our way. In the heart of this world, the Lord of life, who loves us so much, is always present. He does not abandon us, he does not leave us alone, for he has united himself definitively to our earth, and his love constantly impels us to find new ways forward. Praise be to him!” (245)

(Sr. Maura McGrath, CND)