With Pope Francis’ intention of February of the Pope’s World Prayer Network, manifested in the Pope Video, consecrated religious and laywomen from around the world celebrated their vocation, thanking God for the gift received.

Sister Maria Lucia Siragusa, of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of Don Bosco, lives in the community of Catania, Italy, and is an active Laudato Si’ Animator of the Laudato Si’ Movement. 

Her commitment to the care of Creation increased after reading the encyclical Laudato Si’: “The education of Laudato Si’ commits us to become aware that God is the creator of heaven and earth, of all visible and invisible things, and that we, human beings, are only creatures who have been entrusted with the task of being lords, guardians of the Earth and of its creatures”, says the religious.

Through Laudato Si’ she praises the Lord and prays in community “with and for creation”, and “for the world leaders so that they can make right choices in favor of the well-being of the Earth and its inhabitants”.

Following the example of St. Francis of Assisi, Sister Lucia feels called to “praise the Lord with life, through all creatures,” recognizing that they are “our brothers and sisters”.

She understands “that each creature has its own identity, its perfection, its place and its role within the ecosystem”. For this reason, since Laudato Si’, her relationships with her community and with other creatures have been transformed.

Like Sister Lucia, join the community of Catholics who are in action and prayer for our common home. One way is by signing the “Healthy Planet, Healthy People” petition, an initiative to advocate for biodiversity to the leaders who will participate in COP15. More information is available at healtyplanetandpeople.org/.

Watch here Sister Lucia’s testimony