Da Lat, November 10, 2025 – In the morning sunshine of a beautiful autumn day, at the poetic campus of the Da Lat Pastoral Center, in an atmosphere of communion and brotherhood, the Environmental Pastoral Committee - Archdiocese of Saigon and Caritas Diocese of Da Lat co-organized the second Laudato Si' Reunion Day with the theme "Seeds of Peace and Hope". This year, the meeting takes place during the Holy Year, which is also the 10th anniversary of the publication of the Apostolic Exhortation Laudato Si' (2015 - 2025). Therefore, this year's theme is really timely and meaningful.
The event brings together representatives of many organizations promoting the Apostolic Exhortation Laudato Si in Vietnam as well as collaborators and members of Caritas Da Lat, in the spirit of meeting, learning and sharing experiences on living and implementing the message Laudato Si' – Caring for the Common Home.
The sacred moment of prayer at the beginning of the day brings to mind the Seven Aims of Laudato Si. For the cry of the Earth, the cry of the poor, ecological economy, sustainable living, ecological education, ecological spirituality, strengthening the inner strength and resilience of communities invite us to move from prayer and contemplation to action for the Earth and for the poor. From each goal, each participant questions about his or her own life and daily choices to commit to taking care of the common home.
The conference was accompanied by the hearts of Archbishop Giuse Nguyen Nang, president of the Vietnam Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Bishop Giuse Nguyen Duc Cuong, chairman of the Committee for Comprehensive Human Development through an encouraging letter encapsulating their longings in wishing to accompany the spirit of the conference.
Through sharing and inspirational sessions, participants were introduced and interacted deeply about many initiatives practicing the Laudato Si message in different fields: small farmers from ethnic minority communities in Da Lat and Phan Thiet in the process of transitioning to ecological agriculture, preserving indigenous culture; Educational media product initiatives from the Catholic information app of the Archdiocese of Saigon; GreenUP Asia company's activities of recycling plastic waste to create useful products, the concerns and pioneering steps of the Bishop of Long Xuyen diocese in calling on the government and parishioners to join the campaign to clean canals in river areas as well as many other initiatives and commitments of each individual in setting an example and experiencing ecological conversion in their own hearts.
These models contribute to the richness of individual and collective initiatives like seeds sown in this land. It helps protect the earth, its water resources and biodiversity, as well as helps people restore their faith, cultural identity and relationship with God, others, nature and themselves, just as Pope Francis called in his encyclical Laudato Si’.
The climax of the gathering brings the participants and creatures to participate in the holy sacrifice of Jesus through the Mass in the midst of nature to pray for creation. The homily of the director of Caritas Da Lat quoted the message of Pope Leo XIV on the occasion of the world day of prayer for the care of creation: "This is the time when we need to turn words into actions. "Living the vocation to be a protector of God's handiwork of creation is an essential element of a virtuous life; not an option or a secondary aspect of the Christian experience" (Laudato Si', 217). When we work with love and perseverance, we can sow many seeds of justice, thereby contributing to the growth of peace and the renewal of hope. It may take many years for this sapling to bear its first fruits – years that require a complete ecosystem of continuity, fidelity, collaboration and love – especially when that love reflects God's own self-giving Love.” Tree planting activities as well as green buffet with dishes made from rice without the use of chemical fertilizers and organic vegetables of ethnic minority groups in Lam Dong province help participants have the opportunity to feel more deeply the experience of nurturing and living in harmony with nature.
The organizing committee also announced plans to launch the "Laudato Si' Initiative Contest - Joining hands to care for the Common Home", to encourage all sectors of God's people - especially young people and Caritas collaborators - to come up with creative ideas, projects and models to contribute to protecting nature and building a peaceful, equitable and sustainable living environment.
At the end of the reunion, Representatives of the communities most affected by the ecological crisis carried the cries of victims of the recent natural disasters, storms and floods, the cries of young people and future generations demanding climate justice, the cries of indigenous people who have lost their forests, culture and identity; the cry of immigrants and the poor who are affected by waste pollution and environmental pollution… The tears in the bucket of tears will be transformed into a river of hope when each person joins hands to commit to action with specific commitments such as living more simply, echoing the prophetic voice, accompanying the communities most at risk, opening a space for dialogue for climate solutions… After each commitment, the antiphon Laudato Si praises God again lifted high and echoed far and wide, echoing forever.
From the silent efforts sown in each piece of land, each community, the reunion proposed deeper solidarity cooperation between committees in the Church: the Committee for Integral Human Development, the Committee for Social Charity - Caritas, the Migration Committee joining hands with religious congregations and environmental pastoral committees, acting together so that the spirit of Laudato Si' continues to be nurtured, grow and bear fruit in all areas of life, making the earth real. becoming the Common Home of love, solidarity and life.
