What does Laudato Si’ mean to Me?

Jun 13, 2019

Following the recommendations from the Archdiocesan Office of Human Development (AOHD) to focus on the environment for Lent and beyond, the Catechetical Ministry of Kristus Aman Chapel, Kuala Lumpur, organised an art competition for its primary pupils and an essay competition for its secondary school pupils.

The theme for both competitions was “What Laudato Si’ means to me”. The winners of the essay competition were Shawna Tan Xin Ni (upper secondary) and Emma Denny (lower secondary).

We are featuring the winning essays of Shawna and Emma.

What does Laudato Si’ mean to me? The phrase Laudato Si’ is a sort of awareness. It stands as a reminder to the Church that our environment is undergoing destruction – and it is because of us. We often go about our daily routine accumulating waste in terrifying amounts, but because it lies so heavily as guilt in our consciousness, we tend to avoid taking it into consideration so as to free ourselves from such a penitent feeling. However, what is happening is real. Even as we go to such extents to reassure ourselves that the way we live now is entirely fine. Ultimately, we cannot avoid the fact that home is turning into something we fear so much.

Laudato Si’ is a proclamation to the community that we have to change. It tells us that we should not be comfortable as we are, and it is time that we take action to care for our common home. Because we live in this world and exploit its natural resources to our gain, it is only right that we return its favours and give back what we have taken. We have to learn to garner love and care for the world which, we must know, cannot stay as it is if we do not begin to do so.

Laudato Si’ is a call of comfort to the concerned people who spend countless days and time in efforts to maintain the environment so that it does not reduce to only waste. It needs an aiding hand to put into place among us that there is still hope, there is still time, and as long as there is heart and willingness to change – our common home can revert and renew into something beautiful. Laudato Si’ is an emblem for hope, an emblem for desire of a better home.

So what does Laudato Si’ mean to me? It is a calling, and as long as I believe and put faith into my community to care for our common home, our world will become a better home. -- Shawna Tan, upper secondary

Laudato Si’ means Praise to you in Latin. This phrase was brought up by Pope Francis and this is the message he delivers to us this year. Laudato Si’ means to look back on God’s creation, the Earth, and be concerned on how we treat it. What Pope Francis is trying to tell is to care for our common home, the Earth is God’s gift to us with beauty and wonder. The fruits of the Earth should be shared with everyone. We should share the Earth with our future generations.

Humans are developing rapidly, and many problems are caused due to the rapid development, for example deforestation. Humans are chopping trees to make space for building, but remember we are also destroying natural habitats, this can cause animal extinction. Humans are throwing chemicals and other waste products into the ocean; these can cause harm to sea creatures. Pollution from factories and vehicles cause global warming which can also cause another major problem — Climate Change. For example, global warming is melting the ice in cold regions and so animals are suffering, this is climate change. We are using too much of the Earth’s resources that are non-renewable, some of the major resources we use are oil, gas and coal. We are treating the Earth like it has unlimited resources and so the Earth is now man’s pile of filth. Water crisis is growing, and everyone is caught up on technology; we need to be more aware of our surroundings. We need to respect God’s creations.

We can still help our home in many ways. We can reduce the use of cars and stop burning materials, especially wood, to decrease global warming. Instead of buying cars that run on petrol, we can buy electric cars or use public transport like buses, school vans for kids, MRT or even carpool. By increasing the price for cars, people will stop buying them. Banning illegal factories can reduce pollution in the air and water. Planting more trees can help because they clean the air by taking in carbon dioxide and giving out oxygen. They also help us provide shade. We shouldn’t cut down forests because it destroys habitats. Throwing waste, especially plastic, in the oceans and other water bodies is illegal. We should reduce the use of non-renewable fossil fuels and use renewable sources like solar, wind and water. We should reduce using beauty products, electronics and many more. The 3Rs will help to save the Earth: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

In conclusion, this year’s message by the Pope, Laudato Si’, is very valuable for the good of our planet and good for the future generations. We should share the planet as it’s God’s gift. Living in harmony, listening to one another, caring for nature and being part of society and politics will help us a lot. We all need to learn to live wisely, think deeply and love generously. We should accept everyone as we shouldn’t distinguish between the rich and the poor or the black and white. We shouldn’t be living in man’s pile of filth. If we find solutions to the problems we have caused, we can live in harmony. I hope everyone gets this message. So now it’s time to put Laudato Si’ into Action. -- Emma Denny, lower secondary