International Commission for Integral Ecology
UdJ in the Vatican Laudato Si’ Platform
The Ursulines of Jesus take part in the Laudato Si’ Action Platform of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.
This journey expresses our conviction that caring for creation is part of our mission and of justice for the most disadvantaged.
In June 2022, the congregation adopted integral ecology as a missionary guideline for 2022-2027: choosing an ecology of relationships with God, creation, others, goods and economy, shaping decisions and actions.
2022 chapter orientation
- Sr. Mariángel Marco (General advisor and coordinator)
- Sr. Rachel Okouleme (Cameroon)
- Sr. Arlette Rasoarimalala, Sr. Marie Florence Rasoanirina and Sr. Melanie Harimalala (Madagascar)
- Sr. Thérèse Signone and Sr. Marie-Thérèse Bonnet (France/Italy)
- Sr. Tere Ozores (Spain)
- Sr. María Ilia Pastenes and Alejandra Sepúlveda (Chile)
- Sr. Catherine Grasswill (Canada)
- Sr. Nora Mary Ryan (United Kingdom)
International ecology commission
Laudato Si’ Platform pathway
Initial steps
- Registration of the congregation and appointment of a lead person.
- Public promise signed by the Superior General (May 23, 2024).
- Participatory reflection on charism and Laudato Si’ values (published in April 2024).
- Review of actions through a questionnaire and congregation-wide survey (September 2023, feedback in January 2024).
Yearly steps
- Create and update the congregational Laudato Si’ Plan (published in May 2025).
- Consider financial support for local ecological initiatives.
- Review completed actions (follow-up by the international commission).
- Receive platform certification.
After completing all stages, the congregation received the Laudato Si’ Platform certificate. Issued by the Vatican Dicastery, it is not an academic or legal title, but an ecclesial sign of concrete commitment to ecological conversion.
The 2026 Laudato Si’ Plan update is now underway. The commission sends a monthly letter to the congregation and each missionary reality develops its own initiatives.
Certification
Actions already implemented
- Waste recycling (Vendée Tri, France).
- Support, training and advocacy with migrant communities (Roquetas de Mar, Spain).
- Outdoor prayer and tree planting (Swansea, United Kingdom).
- Valuing ancestral culture and local medicinal plant therapies (Chile).
- Energy saving with refractory brick stoves and organic farming (Madagascar).
- Ecological education, clean spaces and promotion of mother tongues (Yangben, Cameroon).
- Advocacy for access to safe drinking water for the most disadvantaged (Canada).
Our participation in the platform links local commitment with the global mission of the Church. Caring for creation is practicing justice. Let us walk together.