By Lissy Maruthanakuzhy
Chicalim, May 12, 2026: Participants of the Green Guardians Certificate Course in Goa shared heartfelt commitments to “care for creation,” blending spirituality, ecological awareness, and practical action in a faith-driven movement inspired by Laudato Si’.
The Green Guardians Certificate Course, themed “A Lenten Path of Ecological Conversion”, concluded May 9 at St. Francis Xavier Church, Chicalim, with a valedictory function that celebrated ecological awareness and faith-driven climate action.
Organised by the Salesian Sisters in collaboration with the Diocesan Commission for Ecology, the programme drew 115 participants from across Goa and beyond.
“This was not merely a certificate course but a movement to build a community of environmentally conscious citizens committed to protecting Mother Earth,” organisers emphasised.
Ecological spirituality and practical action
Inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, the course combined spirituality, environmental awareness, and practical initiatives. Sessions ran weekly from February 24 to March 31, 2026, in hybrid mode, with livestreaming coordinated by Nathaniel Nunes.
Resource persons included Dr. Jean D’Cunha, a United Nations development expert known for her work on gender and social justice, who spoke on Integral Ecology and Eco Spirituality, stressing the link between environmental destruction and social inequality.
Architect Tallulah D’Silva, recognised in South Asia for her sustainable design initiatives, led sessions on sustainable development and responsible consumption, including an eco-construction workshop with the Tambdi Matti Foundation, a grassroots organisation promoting traditional building methods.
Dr. Alvarinho Luis, a climate scientist, addressed global warming and climate change realities, while Advocate Richard Almeida, a legal expert on environmental law, explained frameworks for citizen participation in protecting natural resources.
Reflective assignments and questionnaires encouraged participants to apply lessons in their personal lives and communities. “Care for creation is a sacred responsibility,” Auxiliary Bishop Simiao Purificação Fernandes of Goa and Daman, said in his homily during the closing Mass.
Valedictory celebration and awards
The valedictory programme on included a Mass themed “Care for Creation, Our Mission Continues,” celebrated by Bishop Fernandes.
Certificates of Completion were presented to participants, with special awards recognising outstanding contributions.
Honours included recognition for the best environmental assignment, the first course registration, and the parish that achieved the highest level of participation throughout the programme.
The event concluded with a collective Green Pledge and an eco-friendly fellowship meal symbolising sustainability and community living.
“Our mission continues,” Bishop Fernandes urged, calling on all Green Guardians to carry forward ecological responsibility with dedication and faith.
(Photo supplied)