Category: Church

Pope: God Will Ask Us if We Have Cared for Our Common Home

Posted on by Diane Smyth
Pope Leo addressed participants in an international conference on climate justice and reflects on Pope Francis’ landmark ecological encyclical Laudato Si, noting that when the time comes, God will ask us if we cared for our common home.

By Francesca Merlo. Source: Vatican News

On Wednesday afternoon, marking the tenth anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’, Pope Leo XIV addressed participants in the
Raising Hope Conference, organised by the Laudato Si’ Movement.

In his address, the Pope expressed gratitude for the legacy of Pope Francis’ encyclical, noting how its message has inspired schools, dioceses, academic programmes, and international dialogue.

“Its impact,” he said, “has extended to summits, interreligious initiatives, economic and business circles, as well as theological and bioethical studies.” Above all, he noted that the phrase “care for our common home” has become a standard phrase, used in academic work and public discourse across peoples and continents.

A conversion of heart

While recalling the achievements of the past decade, Pope Leo emphasised that the challenges identified in Laudato Si’ are “even more relevant today than they were ten years ago.” These challenges, he said, are not only political and social, but also spiritual, calling for what Pope Francis described as a “conversion of heart.”

The Pope explained that the heart “is where the deepest searching takes place, where one’s ultimate identity is found, and where decisions are forged. It is only by returning to the heart that a true ecological conversion can take place.” This transformation, he continued, means shifting “from collecting data to caring; from environmental discourse to lifestyles inspired by faith and love of God.”

All are one

Quoting Pope Francis’ description of Saint Francis of Assisi, the Holy Father reminded participants that ecological concern, justice for the poor, social commitment, and inner peace are inseparable.

Looking ahead to upcoming global summits, including COP30 and the UN’s 2026 Water Conference, the Pope urged leaders to heed the cries of “the Earth and the poor, families, indigenous peoples, involuntary migrants and believers throughout the world.”

What will be our answer?

Concluding his address, Pope Leo asked the question: “God will ask us if we have cultivated and cared for the world that He created, and if we have taken care of our brothers and sisters. What will be our answer?”

Watch highlights from the Raising Hope Conference (1:18)

Watch Pope Leo’s Address at the opening of the Raising Hope Conference, held at Mariapolis Center in Castel Gandolfo (1:30:04)

Pope Leo speaks at 52:00.

Thumbnail from highlights video

Migrants, Missionaries of Hope

Posted on by Diane Smyth

The World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR ), which usually falls on the last Sunday of September, will be celebrated this year on 4 and 5 October on the occasion of the Jubilee of Migrants. The theme of the Pope’s message is “Migrants, Missionaries of Hope”.

In his Message, Pope Leo reflects on the current context “sadly marked by wars, violence, injustice and extreme weather events, which force millions of people to leave their homelands in search of refuge elsewhere”.

The search for happiness is one of the causes of human mobility, and the link between migration and hope, which is well reflected in the Jubilee 2025 motto “Pilgrims of Hope”, is often at the heart of many migration experiences.

As the Pope explains in his Message, it is often migrants, refugees and displaced persons who are “privileged witnesses of hope.  Indeed, they demonstrate this daily through their resilience and trust in God, as they face adversity while seeking a future in which they glimpse that integral human development and happiness are possible”

Pope Leo’s September Prayer Intention “For Our Relationship with all of Creation”. Intención de oración Papa Leon “Por nuestra relación con toda la creación”

Posted on by Diane Smyth

This month, Pope Leo XIV invites us to pray “for our relationship with all of creation.” Inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi, he invites us to experience our interdependence with all creatures loved by God and worthy of respect and love.

This prayer intention for September comes during the Season of Creation. This is a special time when Christians of various denominations join in prayer and action for the care of the earth. We are also celebrating two important anniversaries: the 800th anniversary of Saint Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of Creation, and the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ Encyclical Laudato Si’.

  • Post your prayer in our sacred space here
  • Join us for our weekly reflections during this season, downloadable here

Este mes, el papa León XIV nos invita a rezar «por nuestra relación con toda la creación». Inspirado por san Francisco de Asís, nos invita a experimentar nuestra interdependencia con todas las criaturas amadas por Dios y dignas de respeto y amor.

Esta intención de oración para septiembre llega durante el Tiempo de la Creación. Se trata de un momento especial en el que cristianos de diversas confesiones se unen en oración y acción por el cuidado de la tierra. También celebramos dos importantes aniversarios: el 800 aniversario del Cántico de la Creación de San Francisco de Asís y el 10 aniversario de la encíclica Laudato Si’ del papa Francisco.

  • Publica tu oración en nuestro espacio sagrado aquí
  • Únete a nuestras reflexiones semanales durante esta temporada, que puedes descargar aquí

Pope Leo: Hope is Source of Joy No Matter Our Age

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Ahead of the Jubilee Year celebration of World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly—which this year falls on July 27—Pope Leo writes that “hope is a constant source of joy, whatever our age”, adding, “when that hope has also been tempered by fire over the course of a long life, it proves a source of deep happiness.”

In his Message for the Day, Pope Leo offers a scriptural meditation on old age, beginning with biblical figures such as Abraham and Sarah, Zechariah and Elizabeth, as well as Moses, all of whom were called in old age to be part of God’s saving plan.

“The Jubilee we are now celebrating helps us to realize that hope is a constant source of joy, whatever our age.
When that hope has also been tempered by fire over the course of a long life, it proves a source of deep happiness.”

Read the rest of the article here

Read Pope Leo’s message here

Antes de la celebración del Año Jubilar del Día Mundial de los Abuelos y los Ancianos, que este año cae el 27 de julio, el papa León escribe que «la esperanza es una fuente constante de alegría, sea cual sea nuestra edad», y añade: «Cuando esa esperanza también ha sido templada por el fuego a lo largo de una larga vida, resulta ser una fuente de profunda felicidad».

En su mensaje para este día, el papa León ofrece una meditación bíblica sobre la vejez, comenzando con figuras bíblicas como Abraham y Sara, Zacarías y Isabel, así como Moisés, todos los cuales fueron llamados en su vejez a formar parte del plan salvífico de Dios.

«El jubileo que ahora celebramos nos ayuda a darnos cuenta de que la esperanza es una fuente constante de alegría, sea cual sea nuestra edad.
Cuando esa esperanza también ha sido templada por el fuego a lo largo de una larga vida, resulta ser una fuente de profunda felicidad».

Lea el mensaje del Papa León aquí

Watch the Documentary: “León De Perú”

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Vatican Media has released a documentary León de Perú (Leo of Peru) which retraces  the missionary work of Robert Francis Prevost in Peru. The journey travels across various sites in the country, such as Chulucanas, Trujillo, Lima, Callao, and Chiclayo, to explore the life of the Augustinian Pontiff through the voices and testimonies of those who knew him, worked alongside him, or received his support as a missionary and shepherd.

The documentary is a production of the Editorial Directorate of the Dicastery for Communication and was created by journalists Salvatore Cernuzio, Felipe Herrera-Espaliat, and Jaime Vizcaíno Haro.

Vatican Media ha estrenado un documental León de Perú que recorre la labor misionera de Robert Francis Prevost en Perú. El recorrido recorre diversos lugares del país, como Chulucanas, Trujillo, Lima, Callao y Chiclayo, para explorar la vida del pontífice agustino a través de las voces y testimonios de quienes lo conocieron, trabajaron a su lado o recibieron su apoyo como misionero y pastor.

El documental es una producción de la Dirección Editorial del Dicasterio para la Comunicación y ha sido realizado por los periodistas Salvatore Cernuzio, Felipe Herrera-Espaliat y Jaime Vizcaíno Haro.

Pentecost – June 8

Posted on by Diane Smyth

The Christian feast of Pentecost developed late in the fourth century as “the fifty days of Easter” not “the fifty days after Easter.” This was an entire period of rejoicing, an Alleluia time, when Christians witnessed the Resurrection, the Ascension and the outpouring of the Spirit upon Mary and the Apostles.

Sister Joan Chittister writes thus of Pentecost:

“For the early Christians and for us now – it is a matter of allowing the Spirit to transform us so that our life and the life of Christ do finally merge, do really melt into one another, do truly become one.”

La fiesta cristiana de Pentecostés se desarrolló a finales del siglo IV como «los cincuenta días de Pascua», no «los cincuenta días después de Pascua». Se trataba de todo un periodo de regocijo, un tiempo de Aleluya, en el que los cristianos fueron testigos de la Resurrección, la Ascensión y la efusión del Espíritu sobre María y los Apóstoles.

Sor Joan Chittister escribe así de Pentecostés:

«Para los primeros cristianos -y para nosotros ahora- se trata de dejar que el Espíritu nos transforme para que nuestra vida y la vida de Cristo se fundan finalmente, se fundan realmente la una en la otra, se hagan verdaderamente una».

 

Mercy Connections with Pope Leo X1V in Peru

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Sisters of Mercy Newfoundland have been in Peru since 1961 and now minister in two areas of the country – in Puerto Eten, Reque and Eten, in the Chiclayo region and in Huarmey, Ancash. Our presence in the Chiclayo region means we have come to know Pope Leo, formerly Bishop Prevost.

Sister Mildred Brennan participates in the inauguration and blessing of the shelter for migrants by Bishop Robert Prevost.

Sr Mildred who has spent 57 years in Peru writes

From my pastoral experience as a Sister of Mercy, I can testify that Pope Leo XIV is a man of God, simple, wise and approachable, deeply attentive to the concerns and needs of the most vulnerable.

From the beginning of his leadership as Bishop in our Diocese, he felt the need to promote synodal work and, faithful to Pope Francis’ call, involved the approximately 50 parishes within the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Chiclayo in a Listening Process, gathering the voices of God’s people to be a more open and participatory Church and journeying together in the mission of evangelization, hand in hand with the social reality of our people.

Chiclayo, at this time, was experiencing the migration phenomenon, especially among the Venezuelan population, with whom he identified, opening doors and opportunities, promoting the formation of the Commission on Human Mobility and Human Trafficking, of which I am a member, and promoting and coordinating with other institutions to support the arduous task of welcoming, promoting, and integrating.

Chiclayo is experiencing a celebration of gratitude for the legacy that Pope Leo XIV has left us as both a blessing and a challenge.

Messages/Requests to: Sr Diane Smyth, Congregational Leader

Listen to the excellent interview with Sr Rosemary Ryan on Pope Leo’s connections with the Sisters of Mercy Newfoundland.
The interview on CBC Listen (Radio), recorded on 14 May 2025 can be heard here (7 minutes)


Photo Story: Bishop Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, ministering among the people of Chiclayo

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Photo Story: Bishop Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, celebrating Final Profession of Sr. Rosali Sanchez in Perpetuo Sucorro Parish, Puerto Eten and Sr. Alita  Sanchez in San Pedro Parish, Monsefu.

Photos/fotos: Augusto Martinez Ibanaz

Las Hermanas de la Misericordia están presentes en el Perú desde 1961 y ahora ejercen su ministerio en dos zonas del país: en Puerto Eten, Reque y Eten, en la región de Chiclayo, y en Huarmey, Ancash. Nuestra presencia en la región de Chiclayo significa que hemos llegado a conocer al Papa León.

La Hermana Mildred, que ha pasado 57 años en Perú, escribe

Desde mi experiencia pastoral como Hermana de la Misericordia, puedo testimoniar que el Papa León XIV es un hombre de Dios, sencillo, sabio y cercano, profundamente atento a las preocupaciones y necesidades de los más vulnerables.

Desde el inicio de su liderazgo como Obispo en nuestra Diócesis, sintió la necesidad de impulsar el trabajo sinodal y, fiel al llamado del Papa Francisco, involucró a las aproximadamente 50 parroquias de la jurisdicción de la Diócesis de Chiclayo en un Proceso de Escucha, recogiendo las voces del pueblo de Dios para ser una Iglesia más abierta y participativa y caminar juntos en la misión evangelizadora, de la mano con la realidad social de nuestro pueblo.

Chiclayo, en ese momento, vivía el fenómeno migratorio, especialmente entre la población venezolana, con la que se identificó, abriendo puertas y oportunidades, promoviendo la formación de la Comisión de Movilidad Humana y Trata de Personas, de la que soy miembro, y promoviendo y coordinando con otras instituciones para apoyar la ardua tarea de acoger, promover e integrar.

Chiclayo vive una fiesta de gratitud por el legado que el Papa León XIV nos ha dejado como una bendición y un desafío a la vez.

Mensajes/Solicitudes a la Hna. Diane Smyth, Líder Congregacional

 

 

 

Welcoming the Election of Pope Leo X1V

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Sisters of Mercy Newfoundland Congregation welcome the election of Pope Leo XIV, known to our Sisters in Peru .

Photo: Adele Howard rsm

Pope Leo had become Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru in 2015 and remained there until 2023, when he was called to Rome by Pope Francis as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

Puerto Eten is part of the Chiclayo diocese, and our sisters there knew their Bishop quite well, as he was seen as a man of the people. In an email yesterday, Sister Mildred said that his election was no surprise to many of the priests and that the whole of Chiclayo was celebrating as the news of his election circulated among the people.

We welcome his desire, expressed in his first speech after election, “to build bridges through dialogue, through encounter, uniting everyone to be one single people always in peace”.

We welcome his promise to the Church “to walk with you as a united Church, always seeking peace, justice, always striving to work as faithful women and men of Jesus Christ, without fear, to proclaim the Gospel, to be missionaries”.

We welcome his plan, following in the footsteps of Pope Francis “to be a synodal Church, a Church that walks, a Church that always seeks peace, always seeks charity, always strives to be close especially to those who suffer”.

Read Pope Leo’s words in full here

Join us in prayer for Pope Leo and all that is ahead.
You may like to post a prayer in our prayer space.

La Congregación de las Hermanas de la Misericordia de Terranova se congratula por la elección del Papa León XIV, conocido por nuestras Hermanas del Perú.

El Papa León se había convertido en Obispo de Chiclayo, Perú, en 2015 y permaneció allí hasta 2023, cuando fue llamado a Roma por el Papa Francisco como Prefecto del Dicasterio para los Obispos y Presidente de la Pontificia Comisión para América Latina.

Puerto Eten forma parte de la diócesis de Chiclayo, y nuestras hermanas de allí conocían bastante bien a su Obispo, pues lo consideraban un hombre del pueblo. En un correo electrónico enviado ayer, la hermana Mildred dijo que su elección no fue una sorpresa para muchos de los sacerdotes y que todo Chiclayo estaba de fiesta cuando la noticia de su elección circuló entre la gente.

Acogemos su deseo, expresado en su primer discurso después de la elección, de «construir puentes a través del diálogo, del encuentro, uniendo a todos para ser un solo pueblo siempre en paz».

Acogemos su promesa a la Iglesia de «caminar con vosotros como Iglesia unida, buscando siempre la paz, la justicia, esforzándonos siempre por trabajar como mujeres y hombres fieles a Jesucristo, sin miedo, para anunciar el Evangelio, para ser misioneros».

Acogemos su proyecto, siguiendo los pasos del Papa Francisco «de ser una Iglesia sinodal, una Iglesia que camina, una Iglesia que busca siempre la paz, que busca siempre la caridad, que se esfuerza siempre por estar cerca especialmente de los que sufren».

Únase a nosotros en la oración por el Papa León y todo lo que está por venir.
Puede publicar una oración en nuestro espacio de oración.

 

 

 

Prayers Requested for the Election of the Next Pope

Posted on by Diane Smyth

On Wednesday, May 7, 133 eligible Cardinals (those under 80 years of age) will begin the important task of electing the next Pope.

The conclave (meeting of the Cardinals) will take place in the Sistine Chapel. The date for commencement of this process follows the official nine days of mourning following the death of Pope Francis.

There is one vote on the first day, and four votes each day afterward.  Voting will continue until a candidate wins a two-thirds majority.

The College of Cardinals has asked for  prayers as they face the enormity of this task.
Join us as we keep them in our thoughts and prayers that they will discern wisely.

You might like to post your prayer or reflection in our prayer space.

The Washington Post has created a visual guide to the election of a Pope which may be of interest to you.

 

El miércoles 7 de mayo, 133 cardenales elegibles (menores de 80 años) iniciarán la importante tarea de elegir al próximo Papa.

El cónclave (reunión de los cardenales) tendrá lugar en la Capilla Sixtina. La fecha de inicio de este proceso sigue a los nueve días oficiales de luto tras la muerte del Papa Francisco.

Habrá una votación el primer día, y cuatro votaciones cada día después. La votación continuará hasta que un candidato obtenga una mayoría de dos tercios.

El Colegio Cardenalicio ha pedido nuestras oraciones ante la enormidad de esta tarea.
Acompáñenos en nuestros pensamientos y oraciones para que disciernan sabiamente.

Si lo desea, puede publicar su oración o reflexión en nuestro espacio de oración.

El Washington Post ha creado una guía visual sobre la elección de un Papa que puede ser de interés.

Thank You Pope Francis RIP

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Sisters of Mercy Newfoundland Congregation give thanks for the life and ministry of Pope Francis (17 December 1936 – 21 April 2025).

We give thanks for his humility, wisdom and vision for a synodal church. We are inspired by his Gospel witness of mercy, peace, reconciliation and compassionate care for all, particularly the poor, the migrant and marginalised and his call to action on the climate crisis, reminding the world of our shared responsibility to care for our common home.

As we mourn his passing, we pray that that his gentle soul will rest in peace.

Post your prayer in our sacred space here.

Cardinal Re’s homily at Pope Francis’s funeral Mass  was a wonderful and fitting tribute to Pope Francis. It can be read here

La Congregación de las Hermanas de la Misericordia de Terranova da gracias por la vida y el ministerio del Papa Francisco (17 de diciembre de 1936 – 21 de abril de 2025).

Damos gracias por su humildad, sabiduría y visión de una Iglesia sinodal. Nos inspira su testimonio evangélico de misericordia, paz, reconciliación y atención compasiva a todos, en particular a los pobres, los migrantes y los marginados, y su llamamiento a la acción sobre la crisis climática, que recuerda al mundo nuestra responsabilidad compartida de cuidar nuestra casa común.

Mientras lloramos su fallecimiento, rezamos para que su alma bondadosa descanse en paz.

Publica aquí tu oración en nuestro espacio sagrado.