THEME:  From Hope to Action; There is One Body and One Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling”  (Ephesians 4:4)

Provided as a resource by the SACBC Departments for Christian Formation, Ecumenism, Inter-Faith & Religious Dialogue, Commission for Justice &Peace and MARFAM.

FOR UPDATES on these weeks and events for families, parishes  and ecumenical gatherings visit www.marfam.org.za

INTRODUCTION

Laudato Si’ Week www.laudatosiweek.org  is an annual initiative of the Vatican Dicastery for Integral Human Development held around the date of the launch of the original document by Pope Francis in 2016. It is supported by many followers of Laudato Si but in particular by www.laudatosiactionplatform.org  of the Dicastery and  the international movement www.laudatosimovement.org.   These are active in the SA region.

Laudato Si Week’s theme “From Hope to Action” focuses on transforming ecological reflection into concrete action for our common home. It highlights ecological conversion through reflection, prayer, community initiatives, and practical steps against climate change, emphasizing daily choices, ecological conversion and protecting creation.

A CHRISTIAN PRAYER IN UNION WITH CREATION.    From Laudato Si’ 
God of love, show us our place in the world as channels of your love 
for all the creatures of this earth for not one of them is forgotten in your sight. 
Enlighten those who possess power and money that they may avoid the sin of indifference, that they may love the common good, advance the weak and care for this world in which we live. The poor and the earth are crying out. 
Seize us with your power and light, help us to protect all life to prepare for a better future, for the coming of you Kingdom, of just, peace, love and beauty. 
Praise be to you.  Amen.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is an annual ecumenical programme of the World Council of Churches, also supported by the Catholic church. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity theme is “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Eph 4:4). In pursuit for Christian Unity it is celebrated in the week before Pentecost in the southern hemisphere. Coming together we pray that the Holy Spirit may help us realize the invisible unity of faith for which Jesus prayed.

In South Africa it is supported by the Church Unity Commission which has provided a leaflet, a daily prayer available in various local languages and that can be prayed for different Christian churches in our country.   Visit [email protected],  and  www.churchunitycommission.org

CHRISTIAN UNITY PRAYER, SOUTH AFRICA. 
Righteous and merciful God;  we come to you in repentant hearts, teach us to do good,
give us courage to seek justice for all and to seek a meaningful unity of the church
so that: the oppressed may be liberated, the orphan and the widow may know justice
so that: peace, justice and love may prevail; through the one who is love, Jesus our redeemer, and in the power of the one whose fruit is love, the enabling Holy Spirit.   Ament.

In the spirit of the Franciscan Jubilee, we recognize that hope calls us, like St Francis, to recompose ourselves and march with joy. Through our combined spiritual exercise with others, religious and with all creation, in imitation of St Francis of Assisi, we stand together in hope and united in faith to address the impending crisis. Throughout the world, especially in the poor countries, we are witnessing serious decay, the demographic changes in the family, the impact on individuals and regional climate disasters.

The combined weeks of Laudato Si and Christian Unity call us to open ears and hearts, be seeds of hope and signs of life-giving action, encountering brothers and sisters in promoting the values of the family and care for the environment. Unity is a divine mandate at the core of our Christian identity, more than simply an ideal. It represents the essence of the Church’s calling – a call to reflect the harmonious oneness of our life in Christ amidst our diversity. This divine unity is central to our mission and is sustained by the profound love of Jesus Christ, who has set before us a unified purpose.

Through our various platforms may our action be a meaningful response to the “cry of the poor” and “cry of the earth”. 

The Church must always stand as a visible sign of unity and a beacon of hope in the world!

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Day One. Laudato si’ Week and Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  Sunday, 17 May 2026

Acts 1:1-11, Mt 26:16-20. Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. One Action. A Global Catholic Response

Laudato Si’ 213. “Ecological education can take place in a variety of settings: at school, in families, in the media, catechesis and elsewhere. I would stress the great importance of the family which is the place in which life – the gift of God – can be properly welcomed and protected against the many attacks to which it is exposed and can develop in accordance with what constitutes authentic human growth. In the family we first learn how to show love and respect for life, respect for the local ecosystem and care for all creatures. Integral education enables us to grow harmoniously in personal maturity.”

Reflection: The Ascension proclaims restoration of hope for all creation in Christ Jesus. Today, in the Acts of the Apostles we learn that the ‘time for fulfilment has come’ and the ‘restoration of the kingdom’ will not be like we expect, but in recognizing the hope-filled restoration of all created things groaning for redemption in Christ (cf Rom 8:22). The ‘good news’ is that once we receive the Holy Spirit, we turn to be witnesses of divine hope for the hopeless and a voice for the voiceless. Our action is to set the downtrodden free, set free the environment enslaved to pollution and save the earth’s resources. In this hope-filled action, we make all creation realize that “I am with you always; yes, to end of time.” 

This divine calling invites us to embody God’s values within the fellowship of believers. By aligning our conduct with this calling, we not only reflect Christ’s teachings but also contribute to the unity and growth of the Body of Christ. Recognizing and embracing this calling is essential for living out the true essence of Christian community and nurturing a harmonious, supportive fellowship.

A question to consider: How does reflecting on the “calling to which you have been called” as described in Ephesians 4:4 inspire you to actively contribute to unity within your local and wider church communities?

The power is not in perfection. The power is in participation.

Prayer for Families and Ecological Life

God our Father, give us the grace to know you more deeply, to love with all our being. Grant us a pure heart, to love our neighbor as Mary loves all her children. May the gift of your Holy Spirit enable us to see you present in our sisters and brothers as St Francis did. Let us, as families, be seeds and signs of hope in the world of nature. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.