Celebrating the World Environmental Day

On June 5^th the Carmelite students of the Indonesian Province of the Carmelite Order celebrated World Environmental Day by having a program entitled ‘Loving and Caring for God’s and Our Home’. This program which was supported by the Indonesian Carmelite NGO and inspired by the reflection booklet published by the Carmelite NGO was a part of the program of the 5^th Anniversary of Laudato Si’ Celebration. 

The activities of the program was adapted from Laudato Si’ article no: 11 which says: “If we approach nature and environment without the openness to awe and wonder, if we no longer speak the language of fraternity and beauty in our relationship with the world, our attitude will be the masters, consumers, ruthless exploiters, unable to set limits on their immediate needs.” Based on this article, the students developed the itinerary of the program, which included:

• Reading and reflecting on the articles in the Carmelite NGO booklet.
• Morning prayer to praise God’s presence in nature (at 4.00 a.m. in the front yard of the Blessed Titus Brandsma Carmelite Monastery – students’ house).

• Enjoying traditional vegetarian breakfast (learning local wisdom on food)
• Walk for ‘God’s and our Home’ (walking from the students’ house to the House of Mercy – about 15 km, reflecting and enjoying nature).
• Discussion and sharing insights from the Carmelite NGO’s booklet.

• Having lunch and enjoying the nature.
• Eucharistic celebration to conclude the day.
• Walking back home to the monastery.

The students participated actively in the program. The prior provincial and their formators accompanied them from the beginning to the end. The discussion and sharing session was concluded with personal and common commitments.

Some of the commitments are:

1. Seeing the Earth as not only ours but also God’s home (being wise in treating the Earth).
2. Reducing the use of carbon fuel (being wise on choosing mode of transportation).
3. Supporting local products (being wise in consuming food).
4. Developing good fraternal relationship with the human beings and nature (being wise in relating with the nature).
5. Sharing and inviting others to love and care for the environment through different ways and activities.