Religious Sisters. Photo: Exequiel Lobaiza

During February, we celebrated consecrated religious and lay women, especially those who serve Laudato Si’ Movement in the different chapters and regions of the world, united to the intention of the Pope’s World Prayer Network.

Pope Francis invited us to pray for them and encouraged them to “continue working and advocating for the poor, for the marginalized, for all those who are enslaved by traffickers.” From Italy to Brazil, passing through the United States, Malawi, Zambia and the Philippines, we received the testimony of religious women in love with Laudato Si’ and working to bring it to life all over the globe.

Sr. María Lucía Siragusa

Sister María Lucía Siragusa, of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of Don Bosco, Catania, Italy, is an active Laudato Si’ Animator who “praises the Lord and prays in community with and for creation, and for the leaders of the world to make the right decisions for the well-being of the Earth and its inhabitants.”

Lead your community like Sister Maria: Become a Laudato Si’ Animator

Sr. Maria Inez Amorim

For her part, Sister Maria Inez Amorim, of the Benedictine Missionary Sisters of Tutzing, from Olinda, Brazil, recognizes herself as a “daughter of the Earth,” which is why she is in love with creation. Together with her community, they try to “respond to the signs of the times in the care of the common home, so that our sustenance does not disfigure the charm of all creation because everything is interconnected in this common home.”

A dialogue to unite our mission

On Thursday, 24 February, a Laudato Si’ Dialogue was held with the participation of women religious from various congregations, all at the service of Laudato Si’. The dialogue was led by Sr. Julie Marie Peters of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother.

“We bring a resistance, a faithfulness, a strength that the Church needs, and a faithfulness to what we are called to do,” she said began, after praying for peace and an end to the war in Ukraine.

WATCH: Laudato Si’ Dialogue: How religious sisters are leading the way

The religious sisters responded to Pope Francis’ question, reflecting on what the Catholic Church would be without religious sisters, and how religious sisters have helped God’s people understand the Church. 

“We have the gift of walking with people, of encouraging one another to use the gifts God has given us and to be open to the gifts others have to offer as we collaborate,” said Sr. Caroljean Willie, Sister of Charity of Cincinnati.

Sr. Chanda Nsofwa, a Salesian Sister of St. John Bosco from Zambia, added: “In a world like ours today, torn by war, hardship and differences, we put before the world this non-discriminatory way of treating God’s people, especially in our response to the poorest of the poor.”

Sister Teresa Mulenga, Sister of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, Malawi, also emphasized collaboration as a key component, highlighting the projects they carry out in Malawi, where religious from different congregations work alongside women in need.

Finally, Sr. Marvie Misolas, of the Sisters of St. Dominic of Maryknoll in the Philippines, spoke about their work with the United Nations, and how integral ecology can work for everyone, both economically and socially. “Integral ecology teaches us many things about how God’s love is manifested,” she said.

At the end of the dialogue, Sister Willie recalled the words of Mother Teresa of Calcutta: “Do what is in front of you.”

Are you also a religious sister serving the Laudato Si’ Movement? Tell us your story in the comments. Join Laudato Si’ Movement by becoming a Laudato Si’ Animator