Promote Good Manners "Empiisa Enungi" this Valentine’s Day | Laudato Youth Initiative

Laudato Voices | Promote Empiisa Enungi This Valentine’s Day | February 14, 2026

Valentine’s Day is often celebrated with flowers, gifts, and affectionate words. Yet beyond the outward expressions of love lies a silent invitation and need: to nurture good morals, kindness, and care for young people against illicit behaviors in our homes and communities. At the Laudato Youth Initiative, we believe that this season of love is a wonderful reminder to reflect on how we can cultivate empiisa enungi, good manners, and nurture a culture of care, especially for children, against the dangers of immorality, as God’s precious creation. Pope Leo XIV recently strongly reminded us of our obligation to protect and care for children, calling it a “tragedy” that many are deprived of basic necessities, safety, and care. He emphasized that children represent vulnerable, innocent lives, urging society to combat abuse, support those with incurable diseases, and ensure they have opportunities to reach their potential.

He added that the world continues to fall short of protecting and caring for its children, leaving them with few opportunities to succeed and at greater risk of suffering abuse, Pope Leo XIV said in a speech Feb. 5.

Care for Children: A Sacred Responsibility

Children are entrusted to us as gifts and as hope for the future. Pope Leo XIV urges us to safeguard, cherish, and provide environments where children’s dignity and growth can flourish (Pope Leo XIV, 2025). His message reminds us that caring for children’s morals and well-being is a fundamental responsibility.

Every child deserves love, guidance, and protection. They should grow up in homes where respect is practiced, kindness is modeled, and moral values are intentionally taught. When we protect children, we protect the future and God’s creation. In Uganda, many communities are alarmed by early pregnancies among children, the high prevalence of HIV AIDS among teenagers, and many other abuses. Love must begin with those whom Jesus loved most. Pope Leo XIV reminded us that Jesus always wanted children to come to him without hindrance. Matthew 19:14 “Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. ‘” This event is also recorded in Mark 10:14 and Luke 18:16, where Jesus rebukes his disciples for trying to prevent children from approaching him, emphasizing their place in God’s kingdom.

Valentine’s Day: A Moment to Teach Good Morals

Valentine’s Day is more than a celebration of romantic love; it is an opportunity to reflect on all forms of love: parental, neighborly, and the love we show through service. As the Laudato Youth Initiative affirms:

As Laudato Youth, we believe “Valentine’s Day is a wonderful reminder to think about the ways we can nurture good morals, more kindness, and love. Find time to talk to your children about good morals and the acts of service that nurture them. We can’t change everything happening on earth, but we can influence good morals, kindness, love, care, and the protection of children as God’s beloved,” said the Laudato Youth Mentor.

Simple conversations at home can shape a child’s character for life. Teachers, parents, and guardians can use this day to speak intentionally about respect, honesty, humility, gratitude, and service to others. Teaching children to greet politely, share generously, apologize sincerely, and forgive freely lays a foundation for a peaceful and loving society. Take Children for a nature walk, show them God’s beauty in creation. Plant trees and flowers.

Small Acts, Big Impact

While we may feel powerless in the face of global challenges affecting children, poverty, neglect, and violence, we are not without influence. Change begins in the home, classrooms, churches, and communities.

We can:
• Model respectful communication as Pope Leo is inviting us to embrace this Lent
• Encourage acts of service, such as helping a neighbor or supporting a child in need.
• Protect children from harmful environments.
• Affirm their dignity as beloved sons and daughters of God.

When we invest time in nurturing good morals, we help shape responsible adults who, in turn, will care for the world and future generations.

Love in Action

Let Valentine’s Day inspire us to commit to empiisa enungi—upholding good manners and moral integrity in our children. By doing so, we answer a higher call: to protect and cherish the next generation.

In doing so, we respond faithfully to Pope Leo’s appeal and to our shared mission as stewards of God’s creation. We may not change everything happening on earth, but through intentional love, guidance, and protection of children, we can transform hearts, and that is where lasting change begins.