LAUDATO SI WEEK 2025. Theme “Raising Hope.”
Introduction. (THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY for this week are adapted from the SACBC series and used with permission )
In remembrance of 10 yrs since the Holy Father issued the encyclical on Creation: Laudato Si (24 May 2015) we recognize that we have a long way to heed the call to care for the earth; our common home. Pope Francis recalls the words of St Francis of Assisi’s; “Praise God and all his creatures” (LD #1) as an urgent invitation to consider advocating for and embracing attitudes that can heal the world.
In the spirit of the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope, we are called to continue our pilgrimage as brothers and sisters towards unity, beauty and hope for creation. Amidst the decaying values in marriage and family life, socio-political and economic spheres in every society, the Jubilee calls for hope-filled actions.
In the spirit of the Jubilee and during this Easter Season of new life, Laudato Si week calls us to open our eyes and ears and to raise hope, truly be seeds of hope and signs of hope as pilgrim people, encountering brothers and sisters and promoting the values of the family. Through the Laudato Si Movement and concrete action platforms e.g. the Laudato Si Action Platform our action should be responding to the “cry of the poor” and “the cry of the earth”.
MARFAM provides suggestions, resources and a focus for families and parishes on Becoming Eco-Friendly Families.. Parishes can promote and organise family-centred Laudato Si week activities, by the Family Life or Justice and Peace office.
Booklets for discussion, sharing and action. www.marfam.org.za info#@marfam.org.za and Toni Rowland 0825521275.
FAMILIES CARING FOR GOD’S CREATION. R25
BECOMING ECO-FRIENDLY FAMILIES R25.
ACTION SUGGESTIONS FOR LAUDATO SI WEEK.
*Use Laudato Si document for study and reflection, (freely downloadable)
*Set up family discussion, sharing and prayer moments, to “raise hope” theme for the week.
*Parish homily and talk about saving and avoiding waste – money, food, water, power, recycling. Choose action.
*Family fast or meatless day, provide a meal to poor, beggar or homeless family.
*Go green – grow green. Start vegetable garden, plant indigenous tree. Discover edible plants
*Family talk walk or hike – listen to the cry of the earth.
*Clean up activity, home, neighbourhood, river.
*Become civic-minded, advocate, promote, act and, support community projects.
*Discuss current, relevant issues around poverty and consider possible action of each family member.
*Be creative, enjoy beauty – knit, sew, cook, bake, view art and beauty in nature.
*Pray the PRAYER FOR CREATION (published on 23 May)
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Saturday 24th May 2025; Acts 16:1-10, Jn 15:18-21. Our Lady, Help of Christians
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.”
Scripture. “if the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own, but you are not of the world, because I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
JUBILEE. We need to recognize the immense goodness present in our world, lest we be tempted to think ourselves overwhelmed by evil and violence. The signs of the times, which include the yearning of human hearts in need of God’s saving presence, ought to become signs of hope. SNC7
Action: Gather as a family to discuss, plan for action and pray for care of God’s creation.
Reflection. The Easter season proclaims the joy of new life and the desire to become better through the resurrection of Christ. Today, in the Acts of the Apostles we learn of the Good News delivered to the Gentiles, after the first Council in Jerusalem. It is setting them free from unnecessary customs yet encouraging them to remain steadfast in faith and bold in Christian witness. Our society and families, especially the poor and the environment are suffering from the burden of pollution. In the Gospel, referring to his passion, Jesus invites his disciples to accept the hatred of the world, by doing what is right, practicing justice and truthful actions aligned to Gospel values.
Have we lost touch with the gift of life? Is there no one to remind us of our mutual responsibility to preserve family values, integrity of life and the dignity of the environment? Our world is besieged by war, hate and hurt. Thus, conversion of the heart is key to a better life for marriage and families, rich and poor alike and for a healthy environment. Pray and ask Our Lady, help of Christians to intercede for the conversion of hearts and just action.
Prayer for Families and Ecological Life
God our Father, give us the grace to know you more deeply, in order to love with all of 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. Let us, as families, be seeds and signs of hope in the world. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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