This week marks the fifth anniversary of Pope Francis' Laudato Si'. To mark this occasion, Pope Francis has renewed his urgent call to respond to the earth’s ecological crisis, and invites everyone to celebrate – and participate in – Laudato Si' Week. Click here to view Pope Francis' message.

How can you best celebrate Laudato Si' Week?

Understanding Pope Francis' encyclical, Laudato Si' is a good place to start.

To help, we have produced, Care for Our Common Home, An Australian Group Reading Guide. This guide takes well-known author, Bill Huebsch’s plain English text and links it to the original encyclical paragraphs, along with Australian commentary and discussion questions from noted Australian educator Trish Hindmarsh. Together with evocative photos relating to the issues Pope Francis raises, Care for Our Common Home Reading Guide is an accessible way for all to understand this encyclical. In particular, it is vital for young people – our future leaders – to understand this message.

Ideal for individual or group study, this truly unique and Australian guide will be an invaluable resource. By book's end, the reader will have a deeper understanding of Pope Francis’ message and their role in his vision. It's perfect way to commemorate Laudato Si'. Click on the image below for more imformation.

CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME,
An Australian Group Reading Guide

 

LAUDATO SI' WEEK ACTIVITIES

Catholic Earthcare Australia, together with the Diocese of Parramatta, the Australian Jesuits and Campion Centre of Ignatian Spirituality, have organised a variety of acivities to celebrate Laudato Si' Week.
Click here for more information.

BOOKS THAT EXPLORE PEOPLE FRANCIS' LAUDATO SI'

To further help you celebrate Laudato Si' Week, we have curated a selection of books that explore this Encyclical, and our place in the world around us.

AN ASTONISHING SECRET 
The Love Story of Creation and the Wonder of You
DANIEL O'LEARY
Author of Begin with the Heart
Inspired by Pope Francis’ Laudato Si', beloved author, Fr Daniel O’Leary, offers exciting revelations about God, creation, incarnation, and the wonder of you. Through 49 reflections, An Astonishing Secret, will take readers on a wonderful journey of discovery.

THE TEN GREEN COMMANDMENTS OF LAUDATO SÌ
JOSHTROM KUREETHADAM
Fr Joshtrom Kureethadam is one of the church's top experts on Laudato Si', and provides a thoughtful, passionate, and highly accessible commentary on the key ideas and themes. Faithfully observant to the six chapters of the encyclical, it's arranged according to the see-judge-act methodology that is used in spirituality, moral theology, and the social sciences.

ECONOMIC AND ECOTHEOLOGICAL RESPONSES TO LAUDATO SI'
JOHN CAPPER
A collection of responses on Pope Francis’ Laudato Si'. Contributors include: Frank Brennan SJ, Norman Habel, Marie Turner, Abigail Lofte, Ted Peters, Bruce Duncan CSsR, Peter MJ Hess, Anthony Kelly CSsR.

COSMIC SPARKS
Igniting a Re-Enchantment with the Sacred
MARGIE ABBOTT RSM
Cosmic Sparks builds on the thesis that earth is all we have; we come from earth and unto earth we shall return. The collection of rituals is about realising that earth is sacred once and for all.

SPARKS OF THE UNIVERSE
Rituals Awakening Appreciation for Earth our Common Home
JENNIFER CALLANAN
Sparks of the Universe is a book of rituals inspired by Pope Francis’, Laudato Si'. These rituals invite stillness, deep listening, communal reflection and engagement with the environment. It's an ideal resource for educators, students and all those committed to awakening ecological awareness.