WHEN: The Pope’s highly anticipated first encyclical is expected to be published June 18th, 2015.
TITLE: The title is “Laudato Si” (Be Praised or Praised Be), from St. Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of Creation praising elements of creation and naming them as kin. (How prescient for one untaught in modern science!) Users of my Advent and Lent resources have found quotes from this prayer on most cover pages. See the entire prayer below.
Pope Francis’ encyclical is also expected to be given the Italian subtitle: “Sulla cura della casa comune” (On the care of the common home).
IMPORTANCE: “Laudato si” will set a key ethical framework for discussion and policies surrounding climate change ahead of the Pope’s address to a joint session of the U.S. Congress on September 24 and his address to the United Nations Special Summit on Sustainable Development Sept. 25.
The Pope’s words will set the moral standard for everyone concerned about climate change, the issue that affects all living beings. He is sure to link Scripture references, care of the poor, and religious responsibility to act to protect creation. Media coverage has already been extensive, with articles and reports both pro and con.
RESOURCES:
Among the resources for those wishing to explore the Pope’s encyclical are these two:
- In keeping with the Lent material I have been writing since 2004, I shall provide a 5-session program – “Praised be: On the care of the common home” — for those who wish to integrate Lent’s 2016 Scripture readings and the encyclical. It will be available free by November 1st: https://ecospiritualityresources.com/lent.
- RENEW International, GreenFaith, and Catholic Climate Covenant are collaborating to produce an in-depth 12-session resource available in English and Spanish this fall: http://www.renewintl.org/renew/index.nsf/vPages/. I highly recommend this resource.
Canticle of Creation
O Most High, all-powerful, good Lord God, to you belong praise, glory, honor and all blessing.
Be praised, my Lord, for all your creation and especially for our Brother Sun, who brings us the day and the light; he is strong and shines magnificently. O Lord, we think of you when we look at him.
Be praised, my Lord, for Sister Moon, and for the stars which you have set shining and lovely in the heavens.
Be praised, my Lord, for our Brothers Wind and Air and every kind of weather by which you, Lord, uphold life in all your creatures.
Be praised, my Lord, for Sister Water, who is very useful to us, and humble and precious and pure.
Be praised, my Lord, for Brother Fire, through whom you give us light in the darkness: he is bright and lively and strong.
Be praised, my Lord, for Sister Earth, our Mother, who nourishes us and sustains us, bringing forth fruits and vegetables of many kinds and flowers of many colors.
Be praised, my Lord, for those who forgive for love of you; and for those who bear sickness and weakness in peace and patience — you will grant them a crown.
Be praised, my Lord, for our Sister Death, whom we must all face.
I praise and bless you, Lord, and I give thanks to you, and I will serve you in all humility.
ecospirituality resources 
Thanks, Terri. Looking forward to the 18th. Mary H
Please note: message attached
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A Great Step forward, Terri. I seem to have made a leap in from my Protestant training in my Catholic faith. I will use the Canticle of Creation end of June with a small rural and cosmic congregation. With all due respect, it will be evolutionized!
O Presence, for the evolutionary impulse of creation, be there awe, humility, gratitude, and service.
For Presence in Brother Sun, that is strong and shines magnificently, that brings us the day and the light
For Sister Moon, and for the stars that shine and are lovely in the heavens.
For Brothers Wind and Air and every kind of weather by which all creatures have life.
For Sister Water, full of use and life, precious and pure.
For Brother Fire, that gives light in the darkness: is bright and lively and strong.
For Sister Earth, Mother, that nourishes and sustains us, bringing forth fruits and vegetables of many kinds and flowers of many colors.
For those who forgive by this Powerful Presence, who bear sickness and weakness in peace and patience — be honour due all evolutionary elders.
For Sister Death, in which all face this Presence be there thanks, humility, and service.
(Rev.Dr. ) Carol Kilby from In Out and On the Fringe. Dancing into Evolutionary Spirituality
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Oh, Carol, I love it! Thanks for much for this “evolutionized” version! I feel sure Francis would be delighted!
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