Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Laudato Si’: A Call to Renew our Commitment to Earth

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ groundbreaking encyclical on care for our common home. Deeply aligned with the Sisters of Mercy Critical Concern for Earth, Laudato Si’ continues to inspire Mercy communities to reflect, act, and advocate for ecological justice.

To mark this milestone—as well as the Jubilee Year of Hope and the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of the Creatures—Mercy schools are invited to participate in Pilgrimages of Hope for Creation. Organized by Catholic Climate Covenant, the Laudato Si’ Movement, the Mercy Justice Team, and other partners, these pilgrimages can take many simple and meaningful forms:

✅ A reflective walk on school grounds

✅ A pilgrimage to a place of natural beauty

✅ A visit to an area impacted by environmental degradation

These experiences offer a sacred opportunity to encounter God in creation and respond to Pope Francis’ call to be “pilgrims of hope” in a time of ecological crisis.

Resources for Your School Community

• Explore the Rosary of Creation, Mercy Tips to Care of Creation and other tools on the Sisters of Mercy website.
• Find classroom-ready materials on the Critical Concern for Earth from Mercy Education.

Honor and Celebrate This Important Anniversary

• Share quotes from Laudato Si’ or Pope Francis during morning announcements.
• Highlight student-led environmental initiatives in newsletters or social media.
• Invite students to write prayers or intentions for the Earth to share during school liturgies.

Let us walk together in hope, renewing our care for creation as a sign of our Mercy commitment and Catholic faith!