The Season of Creation is an annual event that invites us to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through celebration, conversion, and commitment together. During the Season of Creation, we join together in prayer and action for our common home. The season starts on 01 September, the Day of Prayer for Creation, and ends 04 October, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology.
The theme for the Season of Creation 2025 year is: “Peace with Creation”. This theme is inspired by the Biblical text from the prophet Isaiah (32:14-18). Isaiah presents an image of Creation without peace, caused by lack of justice and the broken relationship between God and humankind. Creation will only find peace when justice is restored. Hence, we are invited to pray and to work towards restoring justice, unity, and solidarity.
The Laudato Si’ Action Platform, supported by the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, equips institutions and individuals to journey towards total sustainability in the spirit of Laudato Si'. Don Bosco Green Alliance is an active partner of the Laudato Si’ Action Platform.
Ahmednagar, India – August 2025 - The Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) in Ahmednagar organized a Tree Plantation Drive at Mathni village, uniting over 85 youth from three parishes – St. Anne’s, St. John’s Bhingar, and St. John Bosco Parish Savedi. More than 200 saplings of Mango, Amla, and Tamarind were planted, with support from Bosco Gramin Vikas Kendra (BGVK), which actively promotes environmental development. The event was graced by Fr. Stanny Ferreira, who encouraged the youth to stay committed to eco-initiatives. The land for the plantation was generously donated by Mr. Chatru Pardeshi, and several Salesians, including Frs. McEnroe, Richard Burkhao, Mavron, Vishwas, Nathaniel, and George, were present to motivate the youth. The drive highlighted Don Bosco’s vision of youth as stewards of creation, leaving behind a message of hope and responsibility.
(ANS – Maputo) - The Instituto Superior Dom Bosco (ISDB) in Maputo is reinforcing its mission to integrate research, innovation, and university extension with a strong focus on environmental care. This vision aligns with the Salesian ethos of fostering responsible citizens dedicated to preserving the planet, or as they call it, the "common home."
Research for Sustainability
The Cadernos do ISDB, a biannual academic journal, is a cornerstone of the institution’s research efforts. It provides a platform for scientific debate and dissemination, promoting critical thinking and driving social and environmental transformation through rigorous research.
As part of its environmental protection efforts, on August 7, the Ecological Brigade of the Basic Education program at Centro Educativo Salesianos Talca (CEST) in Chile, led by teacher Carla Farías, worked on creating medicinal gardens in the courtyard of the North Campus of CEST. CEST Rector Reinaldo Castro also participated in the activity, enthusiastically supporting this wonderful initiative.
The aim of the project is to create a space where students and educators can connect with nature, learn about medicinal plants, and discover the benefits of self-care through traditional herbal medicine.
The initiative was advised by the Fundación Verde Maule, represented by its creator, Eugenia Aguilera, and with the collaboration of Koni Alarcón, a TENS from CEST. From this moment of plantation onwards, the students will be responsible for maintaining the garden, which will serve as a healing and wellness space for students, teachers, and teaching assistants.
Centro Educativo Salesianos Talca (CEST) in Chile was recognized by the Maule Regional Ministerial Secretariat of Energy, along with the Liceo Marta Martínez Cruz de Yerbas Buenas, for its contribution to innovation in green hydrogen in the fields of electricity and electronics. The ceremony, held on August 13 in the auditorium of the Presidential Delegation, was attended by the Regional Ministerial Secretary for Government, Nataly Rojas, and the Regional Ministerial Secretary for Education, Cristian Bonfort.
The authorities highlighted the leadership of both institutions in promoting green hydrogen and its impact on Chile's energy future. “These young people, together with their teachers, are pioneers in the region (...), with this work we are advancing our energy plan, and they are gaining experience and opportunities,” said Rojas. Bonfort, for his part, stressed the importance of strengthening skills that enable the country to be represented at national and international levels.
The Climate Change Research Laboratory in Urban Environments (ClimaURB) at Faculdade Dom Bosco in Porto Alegre, Brazil, is celebrating a significant academic achievement: research developed by students and faculty from the laboratory has been approved for oral presentation at the international conference Biotechnology, Agriculture, Environment and Energy, which will take place in July 2026 in Prague, Czech Republic.
This accomplishment reinforces ClimaURB’s commitment to scientific excellence and the production of knowledge focused on current challenges, particularly in the areas of climate change and the environment. Participation in this internationally renowned event not only recognizes the quality of the work conducted, but also offers a valuable opportunity to broaden scientific dialogue and enhance the institution’s visibility on the global stage.
With creativity, precision and innovation, the students Cristóbal Cavieres, Javier Rodríguez and Martín Contardo, from 2°E TP of the Centro Educativo Salesianos Talca in Chile, together with their teacher Geraldine Labraña, obtained first place in the Marble Challenge 2025, standing out among the participants for the design and execution of a marble run built with recycled materials.
The activity, organized by THINKey in conjunction with American Spaces, the Chilean American Institute and other institutions, with the support of the U.S. Embassy in Chile, was held on Monday, July 7 at the University of Talca. The event brought together students from different schools in the region in an environment marked by collaboration, competition and practical learning.
Martín said that this experience was deeply enriching for the team: "It is the first time we have participated in an event of this kind, and also at a university. We were able to interact with colleagues from other schools. All the work gave us a lot of satisfaction and learning".
In our fast-paced digital age, the latest smartphone or laptop / desktops often becomes obsolete within a few years—or even months. But what happens to our old devices once we discard them? The answer is troubling: they become part of the world’s growing mountain of electronic waste, or e-waste.
The ‘Thank you dance’
A boat of whale-watchers was on a trip in the coast of California. They noticed a small Humpback whale, trapped. It’s tail and flippers were entangled with fishing nets. Michael Fishbach and his team, who were on the boat thought that the humpback was already dead as it was floating on top of the water.
Month of March always reminds us of influential role the women play in our society. In the following paragraphs, we shall see about few convincing women personalities in environmental protection.
Gauri Devi
“Forest is like our mother’s home, we shall protect it come what may,” voice upraised by Gauri Devi of Chamoli as a weapon.
A Lenten reflection to stay-rooted (Pray), stay-integrated (Penance) and stay-connected (Share)
I picked up the title from the quote by John Muir, “And into the woods I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” An apt invitation for the lent. Get deep into the forest, slow down, breathe deep, look around, see the hidden, hear the silence, smell and feel the forest. It has a lot to offer for our soul and for our human community.
“We see what is happening, and the worst thing is that we are becoming used to it. This ‘becoming used to’ is a terrible illness.” – Pope Francis.
Featuring:
Pope Francis;
Cardinal Cantalamessa, the Preacher to the Papal Household;
Cacique Dadá, Leader of the Novo Lugar community of the Borarí people (Voice of the Indigenous)
Arouna Kandé, a climate refugee hailing from the Kolda region of Senegal (Voice of the Poor)
Ridhima Pandey, a young climate activist from Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India (Voice of the Youth)
Greg Asner and Robin Martin, marine biologists from Hawaii, United States of America (Voice of Wildlife)
Lorna Gold, president of Laudato Si’ Movement.
This documentary focuses on the encyclical letter ‘Laudato Si’ addressed to everyone that the Pope wrote in 2015. Today his message is even more urgent!
This film is presented by YouTube Originals, produced by an Oscar-winning Off The Fence Productions, in partnership with the Laudato Si’ Movement.