In the first half of 2024, a new edition of the Laudato Si’ Animators’ course was held in which 1238 new Animators graduated and were certified, in six languages (Spanish, English, Portuguese, Italian, French and Polish). The Laudato Si’ Movement continues to grow in training and developing skills to bring hope to the world through action.
This edition of the course included content on Laudate Deum, the apostolic exhortation that Pope Francis published in 2023 as a complement to Laudato Si’, and also placed special emphasis on training on the “advocacy footprint”, encouraging people to follow certain steps to live their ecological conversion.
Some of the new animators’ projects
Gabriel Dinda, from Kenya, focused his final paper on a writing workshop, which he has been organizing for 10 years: “When I came across Laudato Si’, I thought of combining these writing workshops with conversations regarding our common home. So I devised a monthly workshop combining writing and eco-conversation.”
In Taiwan, the Qīng Quan tribe held a two-day nature retreat, bringing participants together around silence and peace, regardless of their religious background. “The outcome of this event was truly transformative. Despite being strangers and of different faiths, everyone bonded by sharing prayer experiences,” mentions the animator.
In Belgium, an animator organized an activity on contemplation, drawing and herbal tea, with training on the various medicinal properties of the herbs we consume. Also, in France, a religious sister prayed the Via Creationis with the children of her school and their parents, with a meditation on Creation.
Meanwhile, in Hungary, an animator brought together a group to work on the revitalization of the Mogyoródi stream and its watershed, to transform it into a community greenway, protecting its habitat. The team has been working on ecological and technical guidelines, has examined the situation of the stream and is seeking to create an Ecumenical Laudato Si’ Association.
If you would also like to join the adventure of being a Laudato Si’ Animator, visit the website for more information.