Laudato Si' Spirit: Collaboration for Action in the West
An integral ecology initiative sponsored by the Saint Barbara Province for the Franciscan family in the Western U.S.
About
The Saint Barbara Province of Franciscan Friars has created a Commission to guide participation in the Laudato Si’ Action Platform, the Catholic Church’s overall program to “journey towards sustainability in the holistic spirit of integral ecology.”
The Commission, named Laudato Si’ Spirit: Collaboration for Action in the West, has the responsibility for facilitating implementation of Laudato Si’ Action Plans in our entities. Laudato Si’ Spirit is a collaboration of Franciscans in the Western United States and is working in tandem with the US-6 Laudato Si’ Action Platform Team.
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:
Laudato Si' Week 2023: Hope for the Earth, Hope for Humanity
Laudato Si’ Week 2023 is celebrated May 21-28 and marks the eighth anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical on caring for our common home. This global celebration is a chance to rejoice for the gift of all of creation, to reflect on living the values of Laudato Si’, and recommit ourselves to taking action.
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.
Upcoming Special Event!
“Responding to The Letter”, a global online dialogue with experts in economics, Church, civil society and education, who will share practical solutions to address the climate crisis. Join and hear ideas for next steps you can take to live out the message of Laudato Si’.
Saturday May 27 at 10:00am Pacific Time (7:00pm Rome). Part of Laudato Si’ Week 2023 and hosted by Laudato Si’ Movement. Click here for the Zoom link.
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 which includes California, Arizona, Oregon and Washington. 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.
Connect with us
Connect@laudatosispirit.org
Phone
(442) 216-1189
Join our newsletter to receive seasonal updates, resources and encouragement for your Laudato Si’ journey.