{"id":1777,"date":"2020-09-12T18:52:41","date_gmt":"2020-09-12T18:52:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/themadeleine.edu\/site\/?page_id=1777"},"modified":"2026-07-30T11:25:32","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T18:25:32","slug":"care-for-our-common-home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/themadeleine.edu\/site\/care-for-our-common-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Care for our Common Home"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Art Credit: Brother Ben Ayodi, OFMCap<\/p><\/div>\n

“Here, immersed in creation, we can also sense another beating: the maternal heartbeat of the earth. Just as the hearts of babies in the womb beat in harmony with those of their mothers, so in order to grow as people, we need to harmonize our own rhythms of life with those of creation, which gives us life.”<\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0Pope Francis on his visit to Canada, July 26, 2022<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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We humans are united by the concern for our planet and every living thing that dwells on it. The poor suffer most from climate change and are increasingly forced to migrate in search of food, security, and other basic essentials. Tens of millions of people are now climate migrants or refugees, adding to the social pressures and unrest in so many parts of the world.<\/p>\n

The complex ecological crisis has two important facets: climate change, and ecological degradation through overproduction and consumption. Ecological conversion involves a serious reevaluation of how we live day to day, what we see as \u201cdevelopment\u201d and \u201cprogress,\u201d and what our attitudes toward poor and indigenous peoples are and need to become. Embracing global solidarity, renouncing consumerism, simplifying lifestyles, and working for sustainable justice for all people are elements of God\u2019s challenging prophetic call. Conversely, communities living in poverty need to find ways of increasing their consumption to meet basic human needs while accepting the fact that the alluring lifestyles and wealth of the industrial nations are not\u2014and should not be\u2014 an achievable goal. The way to a better life cannot be through economic growth and technological progress as modeled by developed nations of the industrial world. Rather, it must be through greater justice, sustainability, and solidarity. Ecological conversion may mean letting go of unrealistic material dreams for the future and for their families and communities. It may involve an appreciation of the values of indigenous peoples and poor communities because they have relied on the virtues of solidarity and mutual support, respect and care for nature, and living in harmony with creation.<\/p>\n

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Praying for Pope Leo<\/h2>\n

Pope Leo has a difficult job to do at this point in history. His experience in the United States and Peru uniquely have prepared him to understand the threat of climate change and the paths to action. We have a responsibility to pray for him as our spiritual leader and decisionmaker, so that he may continue guiding the Catholic Church with wisdom and compassion.<\/p>\n

Pray<\/h2>\n

Lord God,\u00a0I trust that you deeply desire to minister to your people
\nthrough the hands and feet of Pope Leo.
\nThank you for giving us a leader so rich in mercy,
\none who genuinely hopes to honor Jesus with all he does.
\nToday I ask that you grant him the grace of discernment
\nso that he can be sure of your guidance in all of his decisions.
\nSustain him with the ability to feed your sheep
\nand seek unity in a time of division.
\nStrengthen his body, soul, and mind, and grant him good health and long life.
\nI pray that the Holy Father will feel your comfort and love
\nand continue to seek your will with all of his might.
\nAmen.<\/p>\n

Act<\/h2>\n

Pray the Lord\u2019s Prayer on behalf of Pope Leo today. Follow up your prayer with a petition of gratitude for the pope\u2019s guidance and strength.<\/p>\n

[Source: franciscanmedia.org]<\/p>\n

The Laudato Si Movement<\/h2>\n

The Laudato Si Movement is \u201ca spirit-led movement that brings Catholics together to accomplish our stated mission, in collaboration with all people of good will. The movement brings together a broad range of Catholic organizations and grassroots members from all over the world. These members walk together in synodality and communion with the universal Church on a journey of ecological conversion. Striving for unity in diversity, organizational and grassroots members come together to pray, collaborate and mobilize in response to \u201cthe cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.\u201d Guided by a spirit of subsidiarity, when the timing and context are right, together they create or engage with local Laudato Si\u2019 Circles and Chapters and connect with the global movement in a wide range of initiatives to bring Laudato Si\u2019 to life.\u201d Laudato Si website: https:\/\/laudatosimovement.org<\/p>\n

The Catholic Climate Covenant<\/h2>\n

The Catholic Climate Covenant is a worldwide campaign raising awareness of the Laudato Si\u2019 message and encouraging 1.2 billion Catholics to take urgent action with the climate crisis. Through this organization, the Catholic Community is making a major contribution to the global ecumenical effort addressing the ecological crises we face and restoring reverent respect and care for the sacredness of creation. The human family is not facing separate and distinct social, political, economic, cultural and ecological crises. Rather, these are integrated crises requiring prayer and ecological conversion for the healing of the vast Web of Life. All life is interconnected.\u00a0Visit The Catholic Climate Covenant Website<\/a><\/p>\n

Bibliography<\/h2>\n