By Sarah, for Laudato Youth Initiative
It’s often overlooked that peace is one of the essential components of life. There is no life without peace. The pains of our age, broken families, divided communities, corrupt societies that neglect the poor and elderly. Fractured nations that front wars to peace. All these stem from the reduction of faith values and you know without faith we have no hope. This extends to our dominance over creation which is not only stripping away peace but also threatening our future as young people.
I weep when I see young people and even parents perish in wars and environmental catastrophes. As Pope Leo XIV recently reminded us in his message for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, “Nature should not be a ‘bargaining chip’… reduced at times to a commodity to be bartered for economic or political gain.” This clearly explains to us the interrelationship that exists between natural resources, nature and peace.
Laudato Youth Initiative teaches us that when we live in peace with creation, we sow seeds of abundant joy, respect, and love not only for our neighbors, but for all of God’s creation. As Pope Francis urged in last year’s season of creation, “Let justice and peace flow… like an inexhaustible stream of pure water, nourishing humanity and all creatures.”
At the Laudato Youth Initiative, we strive to unite young people and grassroots communities in vibrant synergies of peace and bold climate action. Through our Laudato Si’ Clubs, we promote care for creation and our theme this year has been: “Sowing Seeds of Peace and Hope with Creation.”
As we reflected upon Laudato Si’s 10th anniversary and the Jubilee Year theme of Pilgrims of Hope, it became clear: “it takes one courageous heart or group to lead the way.” Inspired by this, our mission is to build bridges for peace and ecological renewal, beginning with personal conversion and renewal in relationship with creation and with one another grounded in Laudato Si’ and Catholic Social Teaching on integral ecology.
Our mentor always mentions that central to our identity is the concept of integral ecology. We nurture not just the environment through tree planting and green actions, but also the spiritual and moral formation of youth. Our aim is holistic: to cultivate both external and internal transformation, because our hearts and our internal environments also need care for us as young people to be morally upright. Anybody can plant a tree but what we look at is beyond that in the words of our mentor.
Our Green Festival, launched in 2023, remains a highlight. It began with a peace march, followed by a Green Eucharistic Celebration, echoing Pope Francis’ call to sow seeds of hope. Young people used poetry, drama, dance, and songs to express the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor, reminding us that culture and creativity are powerful tools for raising climate awareness.
In our digital age, youth are also stepping up as digital missionaries embracing tech innovations to confront the climate crisis and raise awareness. Some are exploring innovating tools like Laudato AI, which offers environmental insights and actionable data.
This year’s Season of Creation, themed “Peace with Creation,” aligns perfectly with our vision. Through participation, engagement, and bold action, we are reshaping the world’s narrative. We invoke the intercession of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Adolf, patron of farmers and herdsmen, our patrons and models in ecology to renew the Earth and defend biodiversity.
In Laudato Resilience builds Knowledge which is power, and our young people in Laudato Si clubs are unlocking creative, sustainable solutions to ecological challenges. In this Jubilee Year, our actions are acts of charity whether combating plastic pollution, repurposing waste, or pursuing our 1 million tree-planting campaign.
We also draw inspiration from the ecological heritage of the Uganda Martyrs, especially St. Adolf Ludigo, a patron of farmers who richly contributed to our country’s Agricultural heritage and together with other Uganda Martyrs they planted trees and protected endangered animal species in totems, a wisdom we have recently obtained from our storytelling program with elders. We have learned what mattered long ago to ensure continuity of our traditional belief systems in Laudato Youth Initiative’s approach to sustainability. You know it’s about preserving our community’s sustainable livelihood. Friends we are all called to embody that spirit today living sustainably each day and safeguarding nature, because harm to nature is harm to humanity.
Laudato Youth invites us all to live in peace and harmony with creation, grounded in love the greatest commandment. We must not forget how war damages ecosystems: toxic emissions, soil disruption, displaced wildlife, and the suffering of both humans and non-human life my appeal carried forward from the Laudato Youth Initiatives campaign for this season of creation is to encourage interfaith dialogues for peace, care for the poor and elders, plant trees to protect the eco system and biodiversity, live peacefully, talk peacefully and pray for peace in the world. As the Laudato Youth Motto clearly puts it Let us stand united for a world where peace reigns not only among people, but between humanity and nature.
Think about this reflection from Pope Benedict
“If you want to cultivate peace, protect creation.” — Pope Benedict XVI
This timeless reminder strengthens our mission today. Peace and ecological care are inseparable and we youth are the future. If supported by elders and mentors we can lead the way. That’s the Laudato Youth Initiative philosophy. Think of this question from us at Laudato and reflect on our answers
What You Can Do This Season of Creation
Join or Start a Laudato Si’ Club under the Laudato Youth Initiative? Reach out to us by email laudatoyouthinitiatuve@gmail.com
Whether at your school, university, parish, diocese or a community, bring youth together to act for ecological justice with the Laudato Youth Initiative see what our Laudato Si Clubs are doing
Plant a Tree in Honor of Peace
You can Join our 1 Million Tree Planting Drive and dedicate a tree to someone working for peace.
Be a Digital Missionary
Use your social media platforms to share messages of peace and climate action. Use hashtags:
#PeacewithCreation #LaudatoYouthInitiative #SeasonOfCreation #LYI #LaudatoYouth
Organize a care for creation Mass
Collaborate with your parish or youth group to hold a local action to raise awareness, pray, and act together or sign up for our upcoming interfaith conference
Watch & Reflect on The Letter
Host a film screening and discussion of The Letter (Laudato Si’ documentary) to deepen understanding of ecological conversion, Integral ecology and the day for the care of creation
Pray the Season of Creation Prayer
Unite globally by praying the official 2025 prayer available at: seasonofcreation.org
Remember
“The future is in our hands. Let us walk together as pilgrims of green hope towards a world where creation is cherished and peace is lived.” — Laudato Youth Initiative
