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Do you, like myself, have a letter among your keepsakes that you fondly treasure and pull out to reread? Its words touching your heart and inspiring a commitment to live life more fully.
On April 22nd, Earth Day provides us with an excellent, appropriate opportunity to reread a published papal letter.
Read the letter here, or at least a summary of it signed with deep caring, only as “Francis”. This letter, called “Laudato Si’ ”, was officially published on June 18, 2015, and marks its eighth anniversary this June. Its global release was highly anticipated and was accompanied by a news conference which caught the attention of the world.
In the past, papal letters were written primarily as internal documents containing the present pope's views on church teachings and doctrine and were addressed to Catholic clergy and the laity. Surprisingly, or perhaps not so remarkably, Pope Francis addressed his wise, timely and respected words in Laudato Si’ to “the citizens of the world”.
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Pope Francis, relying on thousands of years of Catholic teaching and scientific knowledge calls on all of us to live our life and our faith by caring for our common home. He draws our attention to the deep connection between the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. He weaves together the truths of science and spirituality throughout his public letter calling upon all humanity to heed creation and the Creator’s call.
The website, Space offers these realistic and encouraging words for us to take to heart. “When we hear terms like "code red for humanity" and "climate change", it can feel difficult to focus on the small actions individuals and communities can take to address the climate crisis. But Earth Day strives to highlight how everyone can be part of the change. “
Let us ask ourselves this Earth Day,
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“What one thing can I change to contribute to the healing of the earth?”
Francis’ encyclical, “Laudato Si’” is indeed a letter to treasure.
-Sister Nancy Wales, CSJ
Header Image: Unsplash/Andreas Gücklhorn