With the slogan, “we know that things can change” (LS 13), a new version of Laudato Si’ Week will be celebrated between May 16 and 24, 2021, to commemorate once again the anniversary of the publication of this encyclical.
Laudato Si’ Week is an initiative sponsored by the Vatican, through the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and promoted by the World Catholic Movement for Climate with whom we collaborate closely. This year we celebrate the VI Anniversary of the Encyclical and the closing of a special year of Laudato Si’, a time that has been marked by reflection, discernment and actions in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. By celebrating Laudato Si’ Week, we renew our commitment as Franciscans to social and environmental justice, care and respect for creation, and intergenerational solidarity.
We extend the invitation to participate in Laudato Si’ Week to all the fraternities of the Order through the JPIC Offices of each entity and to the Franciscan Family. The following are the initiatives that will be carried out or will be presented during the week of May 16 through 24:
Thursday, May 20th
Prayer Network for the Care of Creation
This network is made up of congregations and religious orders from various countries that wish to pray and intercede for a world more similar to the Creator’s dream. Several monasteries of Poor Clare Sisters have joined. You can register your fraternity here: https://laudatosipray.org/
Saturday 22
Laudato Si’ Festival, “Songs for Creation”
This cultural festival will address the issue of the loss of biodiversity in the world. An online event that will be broadcast from the terrace of our General Curia in Rome. Among the guests is Fr. Sandesh Manuel, OFM who composed “rap Laudato Si’ Revolution” and “Listen to the wind.” Follow this event on facebook.com/ofm.org.
Sunday 23
Pentecost, prayer meeting
A missionary dispatch will be carried out for all Laudato Si’ animators and agents of evangelization. The liturgy will be presided over by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and will have the participation of the Bishop of Assisi, Bishop Domenico Sorrentino. It will be broadcast live from the Sanctuary of San Damiano in Assisi and from the General Curia in Rome. Follow this event on facebook.com/ofm.org.
Tuesday 25
Presentation of the Laudato Si’ Platform for Action and the Laudato Si’ Goals
As part of the multi-year plan proposed last year, the first steps of this ambitious 7-year project will be revealed. The plan seeks to unleash processes that will make communities around the world fully sustainable in the spirit of the holistic ecology of Laudato Si. As Franciscans we are already involved in this path together with other organizations of the Church.
We invite you to join in and share. You can register your activities and see the calendar of all events on the official website of Laudato Si’ Week: https://laudatosiweek.org/
