Laudato Si' Spirit: Collaboration for Action in the West
An integral ecology initiative
for the Franciscan family
About
Laudato Si’ Spirit: Collaboration for Action in the West is an initiative to animate the Franciscan family to fully participate in the Laudato Si’ Action Platform, the Catholic Church’s overall program to “journey towards sustainability in the holistic spirit of integral ecology.” Initially sponsored by the Saint Barbara Province of Franciscan Friars, Laudato Si’ Spirit is a way to guide participation in the Laudato Si’ Action Platform and support implementation of Laudato Si’ Action Plans.
Update - October 2023
Peace and all good! As an initiative originally sponsored by the Province of St. Barbara, Laudato Si’ Spirit is taking a hiatus as six of the US Franciscan (OFM) provinces continue the Revitalization and Restructuring process to become one national province. During this time the Laudato Si’ Spirit website will continue to be accessible and then updated once the new province and JPIC structure are active. If you need to reach someone from Laudato Si’ Spirit in the meantime, please contact Bro. Mark Schroeder, OFM.
We fulfill our mission through:
- Outreach to the Franciscan family (providing education and promotion of the Laudato Si’ Action Platform)
- Recruitment (encouraging and facilitating participation)
- Support (guiding through the registration and enrollment process)
- Accompaniment (supporting communities during the planning process and continued participation)
- Storytelling (sharing struggles and successes)
- Accountability (helping everyone follow through on their plan)
Featured Resources:
The Letter: A Message for our Earth
Featuring Pope Francis, the full-length documentary The Letter follows diverse ecological advocates from around the world. Watch as they dialogue and find common ground with Pope Francis and one another while offering a hopeful vision for the future of caring for our common home.
Produced by Off the Fence (Oscar-winning producers of My Octopus Teacher) in collaboration with Laudato Si’ Movement and the Vatican, The Letter is available to watch for free on YouTube Originals.
Our Common Home: A Guide to Caring for our Living Planet
This new, beautifully illustrated full-color booklet connects the message of Laudato Si’ with the most pressing ecological issues – climate, biodiversity, water, air, industrial agriculture, production and consumption, and threats to our shared future.
A collaboration between scientific and spiritual communities, it presents essential facts and solutions on key topics, along with advice for taking ecological action.
Click the buttons below to access PDF versions of the booklet or visit the accompanying website to view online in English or Spanish.
Q&A
Laudato Si’ Spirit: Collaboration for Action in the West is the full name of our efforts as a commission formed by the Franciscan friars of the St. Barbara Province. We encourage and guide participation in Laudato Si’ Action Platform, the Catholic Church’s overall program to “journey towards sustainability in the holistic spirit of integral ecology.” Rather than prescribing specific actions, we provide resources and encouragement for participating groups to develop their own integral ecology action plans that they enact at their local levels.
Visit our Resources page to access additional information about Laudato Si’ themes and our approach to integral ecology.
Take a look at our introductory Community Connection post to read more about themes in our name and our logo.
Learn more about Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home, the encyclical written by Pope Francis and the inspiration for our work with the Laudato Si’ Action Platform.
We are a collaboration of different Franciscan entities including friars, women’s religious communities, ministries, and members of the Secular Franciscan Order.
The west in our title refers to the Western United States. While we were formed by the Franciscan friars of the St. Barbara Province, we partner with other Franciscan communities in our region and beyond. We also work in tandem with the US-6 Laudato Si’ Action Platform Team.
The action in our name refers to the Laudato Si’ Action Platform (LSAP) created for the universal Catholic Church and “all people of goodwill” by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. Rather than prescribing specific actions, we provide resources and encouragement for participating groups to develop their own action plans that they enact at their local levels.
Our website offers a variety of educational, spiritual, and action-oriented resources to enrich your journey with Laudato Si’.
- Access summaries of the Laudato Si’ encyclical.
- Engage with the Laudato Si’ Action Platform ang get ready to join!
- Learn more about the 7 Laudato Si’ Goals and take a self-assessment to track your recent actions for integral ecology.
- Follow a Laudato Si’ Action Plan template to create your own Action Plan.
- Access a growing library of creation-centered prayers, guided devotions and liturgy aides.
- Connect with Laudato Si’ stories from across the Franciscan family.
