Laudato Si’: A Practice For Mother Earth
By Sean M., Blue Planet Alliance Global Youth Ambassador
Many of us may forget that each action we take impacts everything and everyone around us, no matter how small it may be. It may impact an individual for a few days. It may impact a whole nation for decades. Our ideologies play a huge role in the decisions that we make, especially for the environment.
Some may ask, “Why do we have to focus on the environment?” Others may say that there are more pressing issues that we should focus on. Yes, there are other important issues, but what if there is no “proper” way to resolve these issues? We need to recognize that we do not need to have a large impact immediately. We should take it with ease and educate ourselves gradually, to better understand what is happening to the environmental world. And that starts with us as individuals.
I grew up with a family dedicated to the Christian faith. I understood the moral principles of loving one another, tending to those who may be living in poverty, and being kind to all people — especially to those who were not. As I grew older, there were issues that I gained interest in, and one issue that I was most intrigued by was climate change. When I spoke about this issue to my family, they would usually say that, “It is a problem for the bigger people in the government.” I did not understand. How was it just a problem for the powerful people in society? Wouldn’t climate change affect all people? I researched how I can tie in my Christian faith to take action against climate change. That was where I found a connection.
Laudato Si’ is a practice — initiated by Pope Francis — in which all people can make a call to action to help the environment. These practices may include a school activity, such as gardening or picking up trash. Others may be at a larger scale, such as raising awareness by holding peaceful protests regarding deforestation and climate change. It has given me an understanding that we should not take all the resources that God has given to us for our selfish purposes. We should be able to give back to the world and potentially give back to God, even if it means simply using the 3 Rs (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle).
I introduced the Laudato Si’ practice to my family and they were impressed. Not only did my family accept and participate in this practice, but they also did it once a month. Now it is a little family tradition that we do every once in a while. Cleaning around the house, planting flowers, and doing what is necessary to keep our surroundings tidy are vital for our spiritual growth toward each other and God.
When I went to a Catholic boarding school away from home, I was still able to practice Laudato Si’. The principal has integrated this practice from time to time into the school schedule. I vividly remember the sunflowers that I planted by my high school’s welcome sign. It felt so refreshing to see my peers and I working together passionately to make the world a better place. I felt connected to the people around me who were doing the hard work. Students around campus planted flowers by the main entrance, cleaned school facilities, and also tended the school pig farm and garden that supplied us with food. Laudato Si’ has helped me greatly, not only to focus on my faith but to have the desire to help the environment.
Sean M. is a Blue Planet Alliance Global Youth Ambassador. He is a high school student in Palau that enjoys athletics, particularly track and field. He loves to contribute as much as he can to organizations that dedicate themselves to preserving the world.
