Chennai: Catholic youth from Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry on October 4 planted more than planting 30,000 saplings to mark the “Season of Creation.”
The initiative was taken on the occasion of the “Season of Creation” that Pope Francis had invited Catholics around the globe to mark from September 1 to October 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi.
“On the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, we thank Pope Francis for the closing of the Season of Creation. The Holy Father’s message inspires us to keep our commitment to continue uniting Catholics around the world, in prayer and action for our common home. We are bringing ‘Laudato Si’ to life,” said Joe Ferdinand, a Catholic youth from Tamil Nadu.
‘Laudato Si’ (On Care for Our Common Home, 2015) is Pope Francis’s landmark encyclical on the environment.
The campaign on the environment, ‘Laudato Si’ and tree planting drive was taken by the Tamil Nadu Catholic Youth Organization (TCYM), Tamil Nadu Young Catholic Student / Young Manakar Movement (TN YCSYSM).
“Today TCYM members have participated in the ‘Pasumaiyakkuvom’ (Let’s make green) scheme by planting the saplings to save our Mother Earth,” said Father Martin Joseph, director of TCYM.
The scheme was executed in various dioceses and parishes. Saplings were distributed to parish youth, YCS children and parish people, Father Joseph added.
Saplings were planted in various parishes, school and college campuses and Catholic houses.
Bishop Nazarene Soosai of Kottar, chairperson of the Catholic youth movements, appreciated the youth and others who took part in the tree-planting drive.
He also said, “Our action to save our mother earth must continue in the years to come.”
“It was our humble effort to protect creation and renew the relationship with the Creator and a calling with love,” said Jasmine Swetha, a Catholic youth leader.