On the anniversary of his encyclical, Pope Francis declared May of 2020–May 2021 “A Year of Laudato Si'.” Five years after his encyclical made a major contribution to the Church’s social tradition, this document is as relevant as ever. The global pandemic continues to reveal inequalities in income, health care, housing, employment, education, ability to migrate, and access to information, demonstrating that, indeed, our social problems are interrelated. The Pope presents integral ecology as the lens through which to address these concerns of our world. Integral ecology is the new name for development of creation and it demands an ecological and social approach “so as to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor (#49). An ability to hear these cries requires a spirituality of encounter and “an intergenerational solidarity” (#159).

The Center for Spirituality’s Fall Endowed Lecture Series will explore Laudato Si', its reception by scholars, bishops, women religious, and movements of the laity, as well as its application to current signs of the times—poverty, racism, migration, the Coronavirus, and climate change. Our first panel includes Dan Horan, OFM, PhD and María Teresa Dávila, PhD—theologians who have studied, written about, and presented on Pope Francis’ work. Our second panel includes Saint Mary’s faculty members from different disciplines who will address Laudato Si’ and its relationship to the pressing issues of the moment.

Beginning this fall and into the spring semester, the Center is funding up to eight students from a diversity of backgrounds, majors, and class years to participate in a study-faith-in-action program centered on Laudato Sí. The students will read and reflect on the document in a discussion group, partake in prayer experiences and service projects related to the environment and creation care, and present what they learned to the Saint Mary’s campus community. They will make connections between academic concepts such as integral ecology and their own personal spirituality and will receive a small stipend for their robust engagement in this program.

Related Events

Please join us online for these two virtual Zoom webinars.