in celebration of the 5th anniversary of the letter of Pope Francis to every person living on this planet.
Thank you, Province of USA-Haiti!
CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME
Preparation: This prayer may be done all at once (in about 30 minutes), or it can be
spread out over the anniversary week. Whether
you pray by yourself, or virtually with others – indoors or outdoors – create a
focal point with pictures or objects that speak to you of Earth’s gifts,
Earth’s losses, our failures, and your personal hope for our common home; get
readers as needed; select music.
Five years ago, on May
24, 2015, Pope
Francis sent a letter to every person living on Planet Earth, about the urgent
need to take care of Earth as our common home. He called his letter Laudato Si’ which means “praised be,” a
title he borrowed from St. Francis of Assisi, known for his great love of
nature. On his deathbed, nearly 1000 years ago, St. Francis sang a hymn of
praise to Brother Sun, Sister Moon and all creation, singing again and again
“praised be ….” The Children Are Asking,©M.
Southard, CSJ
This week during May 16-24, 2020, the people of the world are gathering
everywhere to celebrate the letter of Pope Francis, and listen again to his
call to renew our commitment to care for Earth as the home we share. So, we
gather now to remember the gifts creation has lavished on us, and give thanks
for the progress we’ve made in caring for Earth as our mother, and sister, and
home. We gather to mourn Earth’s losses and our failures toward her, and to
advance our hope for the future of all life on this wonderful planet.
Music: Choose
music that connects you joyfully with Earth — Suggestion: listen to a recording
of “What a Wonderful World”, by Louis Armstrong:
- Gratitude...
- Sorrow
- Hope
- Thoughts & Actions through the week