India: Jesuit College celebrates Laudato si’ Week

Over the past week, all over the world, hundreds of institutions, associations, church groups, citizen and youth groups celebrated the “Laudato Si” week. 

Laudato si’ Week, which took place from May 22 to 29 celebrated the seventh anniversary of Pope Francis' encyclical on the care of creation. It focused on the seven objectives pursued in the Laudato si’ Action Platform.

“Care and protection of Mother Earth and finding our spiritual connections in harmony with nature” was the theme of a special foundation and mentoring session conducted by undergraduate students in Bihar state, India. 

Over 60 students from the Mass Communication Department of the Jesuit-run St. Xavier's College of Management and Technology participated in the program. 

The session was held in the shade of large banyan trees at the “Taru Mitra” (friends of trees in Hindi and Sanskrit) Bio-reserve, adjacent to the college.

Tarumitra is a movement that evolved from the Forum for Environment that students started in 1988, with a focus on the conservation of biodiversity and the promotion of ecological sensitivity.

The student movement is now working in 23 states of India and with around 2,000 schools and colleges in India. 

In this interfaith gathering, students sang hymns and songs, read out prayers, and shared experiences with resource persons and their mentors during the session.

"Eco-spirituality, the realization of the presence of God in all living things and creation, is at a level above the narrow confines of a particular religion. It is the call for all the people on earth, to realize the workings of the divine through different ways, in tune with each one's own culture and religion," said Devopriya Dutta of “Taru Mitra”.   

She spoke of meeting Pope Francis when she represented Taru Mitra at a Laudato Si event in Rome a few years back. 

Laudato Si promotes the concept of 'integral ecology.” Its seven goals include a response to the cry of the Earth, response to the cry of the poor, ecological economics, adoption of simple lifestyles, ecological education, ecological spirituality, and emphasis on community involvement and participatory action. 

The mentors of the Mass Communication Department of the college planned to work with the students on these themes around the academic year.

“Laudato Si’, mi’ Signore” means “Praise be to you, my Lord” and is taken from a canticle by Saint Francis of Assisi who considered earth as a sister.  

Numerous scientists, philosophers, theologians, and civic groups also share this concern. 

The director of Taru Mitra, Jesuit Father Antony Pendanath explained the relevance of the theme of Laudato Si week 2022, "Listening and Journeying Together".

Vikas Kumar, the mentor for second-year students of the department, spoke of how the greenery and breathing spaces in the old Patna city area have disappeared within the short span of 20 years.

He reminded students that merely paying lip service to environmental causes was insufficient.  

The students expressed their appreciation for the special session, which was conceptualized by their mentor and coordinator of the Mass Communication Department Frank Krishner.

"This class, held under the trees, with the calls of the birds in the air, was fabulous," remarked Aditya Sagar, a student.

"The songs sung by my classmates and the togetherness in nature were touching," said Richa, another student. 

"We must plan to have more sessions and take the movement forward," said Vikas Kumar, a second-year student. - FK/India