From the OUDAA Director

My dear fellow Atenistas,

Greetings of Peace and a Happy New Year!

Years ago the universal Society of Jesus publicized the Universal Apostolic Preferences (UAP) which included the Caring for our Common Home specifically to collaborate, with Gospel depth, for the protection and renewal of God’s Creation. The UAP are the fruit of discernment that lasted two years, and Jesuits around the world with our mission partners are enjoined to participate in this endeavor. 

This Fabilioh! issue is about the appreciation of our sustainability efforts and care for our environment hinging on the 2015 encyclical of Pope Francis, the Laudato Si (in Latin, “Praised Be” or “Praised Be to You”). This title is taken from the first line of the encyclical, “Laudato si, mi Signore,” or “Praise be to You, my Lord.” In the words of this beautiful canticle, Saint Francis of Assisi reminds us that our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us. 

However, this encyclical does not only mean to praise our Creator God, but also stresses the Catholic traditional teachings of the Church such as the common good, solidarity, distributive justice, and the preferential option of the poor. It reminds us, People of Faith, to not only respect the Earth but also praise and honor God through our engagement with creation, and put in the right order all our living relationships. We are  all but one family of creation deserving our care, respect, and love.   

In this sense, the Laudato Si becomes a spiritual document to call us unto conversion of heart.    

Everything is connected and all is One under one God. This is a reminder to all of us that whatever we do has an effect, good or bad, on the things around us. Thoughts and feelings of the Good, True, and the Beautiful that spring into action are more and more less heard because of our human weakness. We are all broken and the earth cries out for help. And so, there is a need to acknowledge and address the ecological crisis that threatens our planet. 

The Ateneo de Manila has Integral Ecology as one of the strategic priority areas in the Lux-in-Domino 2030 strategic planning. Our goal is for Ateneo to be recognized as a “Laudato Si” university for exemplary leadership in the promotion and sustainability of integral human development.   

In this issue, we highlight champions of stewardship of our Mother Earth. May their edifying examples lead us to praise forevermore the one and only Creator God.

May the Light of Christ inspire us to care for our common Home in this 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope.