Members of United Kingdom celebrating their encounter
Members of the Laudato Si’ Movement are preparing for the synodal road to 2025 in their communities and countries. They are organizing national, regional and local encounters in order to get to know each other and share their experiences on the precious path of ecological conversion.
National encounters have already been organized on all five continents, such as those in Korea and Poland. But there are also those who have opted for a regional or local encounter.
Below we share some examples, so that you too – if you haven’t already done so – can plan your encounter and then let us know how it went.
Shared culture and various learning experiences
The Argentina Chapter organized more than twenty local encounters that brought together hundreds of members to share their dreams, stories and experiences of how the Holy Spirit is at work in LSM. “I am from the countryside. It always hurt me when nature was destroyed. I prayed to God. Now I feel called to develop and disseminate teaching resources for catechesis with recycled materials,” shared one participant.
Local encounter at the Monastery of the Clares of Corrientes, Argentina
Members of a Laudato Si’ Circle in Ginanmangoro, Abuja (Nigeria) felt called by the Spirit “to a holistic approach to living Laudato Si’ that integrates ecological awareness, social justice and spiritual depth”. Their encounter focused on the importance of fostering a caring community, adopting sustainable practices and standing in solidarity with the poor in order to truly embody the Laudato Si’ principles.
In the United Kingdom, a local encounter was held in the city of Leeds in which they shared their hopes, challenges and needs. Participants pledged to spread the Laudato Si’ message, to integrate it into the Church, and also stressed the importance of “being open to really listening to the Holy Spirit”.
MLS members prior to the Leeds encounter
Lastly, the Care for Creation Network of the Diocese of Arlington, in the United States, organized an encounter attended by 22 LSM members and together they created a synodal conversation to share the reality they face in carrying the Laudato Si’ message. Among the salient themes of the conversation was the need to “help others act out of faith, hope and charity (not guilt or fear) to address the reality of the environmental crisis.”
Your local encounter is very important
Being a member of the Laudato Si’ Movement is a great adventure, and sharing it with others encourages us to keep going. If you haven’t already done so, organize an encounter in your circle or community. There are many resources available here for you to lead the encounter.
Once you have held your encounter, please let us know how it went. Your encounter is fundamental for our synodal journey as a global movement.