May 24th marks the tenth anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical (letter) Laudato Si‘. This encyclical, addressed to all people of good will, was – and is – groundbreaking, devoted entirely to the climate crisis and its impact.
Building on centuries of Catholic Social Teaching and drawing on Scripture, Laudato Si’ emphasises “integral ecology,” which recognises the interconnectedness of all aspects of life, including social and environmental concerns. Among the encyclical’s most memorable phrases is the recurring theme “everything is connected”.
Laudato Si’ Week, celebrated annually from May 24 -31, is an invitation to deepen our understanding of Laudato Si’, an opportunity to join with like-minded persons to listen and respond to the “cry of earth and the cry of the poor” and an encouragement to intensify our efforts to care for our common home.
Sisters of Mercy Newfoundland acknowledge with gratitude the inspiration of Laudato Si’ in our personal and communal commitment to caring for our common home
El 24 de mayo se cumple el décimo aniversario de la encíclica (carta) Laudato Si“ del papa Francisco. Esta encíclica, dirigida a todas las personas de buena voluntad, fue —y sigue siendo— revolucionaria, ya que está dedicada íntegramente a la crisis climática y sus repercusiones.
Basándose en siglos de doctrina social católica y en las Escrituras, Laudato Si” hace hincapié en la «ecología integral», que reconoce la interconexión de todos los aspectos de la vida, incluidas las cuestiones sociales y medioambientales. Entre las frases más memorables de la encíclica se encuentra el tema recurrente «todo está conectado».
La Semana Laudato Si’, que se celebra anualmente del 24 al 31 de mayo, es una invitación a profundizar en nuestra comprensión de Laudato Si’, una oportunidad para unirnos a personas con ideas afines para escuchar y responder al «grito de la tierra y el grito de los pobres» y un estímulo para intensificar nuestros esfuerzos por cuidar nuestra casa común.
Las Hermanas de la Misericordia de Terranova reconocen con gratitud la inspiración de Laudato Si’ en nuestro compromiso personal y comunitario por el cuidado de nuestra casa común.
This year’s theme Unmasking Mental Health encourages people to recognize that hiding mental health challenges can lead to increased isolation and stigma. It also reminds us of the need to look beyond the surface and see the whole person.
Using the image of water, this year’s observance compares the contributions of volunteers to the power of water to affect the world’s’ ecosystems. This week gives Canadians an opportunity to recognize and celebrate all the ways volunteers create ripples of change in our society.
According to current statistics, nearly 300,000 women worldwide lose their life through pregnancy or childbirth each year, and over two million babies die in the first month of life. The health of mothers and babies is the foundation of healthy families and communities, helping to ensure a hopeful future for all. This 2025 WHO campaign urges health systems to manage the many health issues impacting maternal and newborn health.
In the words of Sister Joan Chittister:
The sisters at the Mount celebrated this day with great enthusiasm as the reports below demonstrate.