Laudato si’ ("Praise be to you") is an encyclical letter of Pope Francis focused on the care for our common home.

In this encyclical letter, his second, the Pope critiques consumerism and irresponsible development, laments environmental degradation and global warming, and calls all people of the world to take "swift and unified global action.” The title of the social encyclical is from Saint Francis of Assisi's 13th-century "Canticle of the Sun" (also called the Canticle of the Creatures), a poem and prayer in which God is praised for the creation of the different creatures and aspects of the Earth.

The tone of the Pope's phrasing has been described as "cautious and undogmatic, and he specifically calls for discussion and dialogue. He adds that "Although the post-industrial period may well be remembered as one of the most irresponsible in history, nonetheless there is reason to hope that humanity at the dawn of the twenty-first century will be remembered for having generously shouldered its grave responsibilities." Francis does state that concern for the natural world is no longer "'optional' but is an integral part of the Church teaching on social justice.”

This curriculum is intended to help young people fulfill Pope Francis’ invitation that we give special attention to the creation of God, to realize that we need each other, and that we have personal responsibility for others and for the world we live in.

The curriculum offers a progressive and experiential learning design, so that the students, guided by the environmental scienced, the Word of God, and the richness of Carmelite spirituality, will be able to integrate into their lives a comprehensive ecological awareness of responsible care of the earth, the unique home for everyone.

This program on environmental issues and the care of creation was developed with the participation of and contributions from the Congregation of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the Most Pure Heart of Mary Province of the Order of Carmelites, Salpointe Catholic High School, Singing for Change, the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, the Society of the Little Flower, and individual donors. You have our thanks!