Advent with Pope Francis and Laudato Si'

An Advent retreat guided by the words of Pope Francis and his encyclical Laudato Si' to prepare for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ - the light of the world and all Creation.

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Advent with Pope Francis and Laudato Si': Preparing for the Good News

The Lord, in the culmination of the mystery of the Incarnation, chose to reach our intimate depths through a fragment of matter. He comes not from above, but from within, he comes that we might find him in this world of ours.” Pope Francis (LS 236)

During Advent, we embark on a journey of preparation for our encounter with God, Jesus Christ who comes to meet us within Creation - this is the Good News! We anticipate with hope and joy the renewal of all Creation through the Incarnation as Jesus takes on the material life we share with all creatures. 

In this Advent retreat, we will be bringing special attention to how we share this path of preparation in communion with Creation, who also eagerly awaits for redemption (cf. Rm 8:19-23). We will be guided by the words of Pope Francis and the encyclical Laudato Si', his special letter to us all about the call to care for our common home. 

Each week you will be invited to reflect on a specific theme through 

  • a short video from The Letter - a documentary with Pope Francis about the Laudato Si'
  • a short reflection on that theme, and 
  • a prayer. 

Each week you will also be invited to a call to action, a concrete way to prepare for Christmas more sustainably.

As Pope Francis reminds us, “Living our vocation to be protectors of God's handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience.” (LS 217) 

Join us as we eagerly await Christ's coming, crying out with Creation for the light of the world to come!

Prayer from the retreat

A Prayer for our earth

All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures. You embrace with your tenderness all that exists. Pour out upon us the power of your love, that we may protect life and beauty. Fill us with peace, that we may live as brothers and sisters, harming no one. O God of the poor, help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, so precious in your eyes. Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the world and not prey on it, that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction. Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain at the expense of the poor and the earth. Teach us to discover the worth of each thing, to be filled with awe and contemplation, to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature as we journey towards your infinite light. We thank you for being with us each day. Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle for justice, love and peace. Amen