The Schoenstatt Global Sustainability Project, developed over the past few months by a group of Schoenstatt laypeople, has recently taken a new step. Following monthly reflection meetings, participants have begun to involve their filial shrines in initiatives with concrete activities in different locations.

“By integrating sustainable practices, our Shrines become even more beacons of hope, demonstrating that the covenant of love with Mary is also manifested in the care of the planet that God has entrusted to us. This crucial step reflects our commitment to caring for our ‘Common Home,’ following the example of Our Lady, Queen of Creation,” says Rosana Silva, project coordinator.

An “Ecological Ministry” is born in Costa Rica

In alignment with this project, which promotes environmental education and resource care, the Schoenstatt Ecological Pastoral emerged in Costa Rica. An example of this is the planting of trees around the Family of Hope Shrine.

“Mary teaches us the pedagogy of care, service, and gratitude. From the Shrine, our place of encounter with God, as Schoenstatters and agents of change, we want to show a simpler, more sustainable, and more communal lifestyle. May our works, decisions, and habits be visible signs of love for creation and fidelity to our mission to renew the world in Christ. Every little gesture counts. Every ecological action lived from the heart of Mary contributes to a more humane, supportive, and holy future,” write the participants of the Ecological Pastoral.

Puerto Rico: the enthusiasm of youth

Several initiatives are also taking place in Puerto Rico. One example is that of the Girls’ Youth, as Idalys Díaz explains: “In September 2025, the Youth Ministry of Puerto Rico celebrated National Youth Day at the Schoenstatt Shrine in Cabo Rojo. It was a great opportunity for me, as a member of the Schoenstatt Girls’ Youth, to participate and spread the message of integral ecology. We approached young people to ask them to respond to a survey on this topic and access a QR code. In this way, they could respond to the survey and put a green ribbon on their arm, committing themselves to caring for our common home in relation to the faith practiced in daily life. At the same time, this survey helped us to find out what young Puerto Ricans think about the spirituality presented in Laudato si’ and allowed us to contact potential new members of the group.”

Adriana Alvarado Maldonado also participated in this initiative and says, “That day I learned about the concept of integral ecology for the first time and was able to begin to discover what it implies. I understood that integral ecology means contemplating God’s creation and his desire to protect it from a perspective of faith, and that it is necessary to combine the environment and spirituality. After they explained it to me, it was my turn to pass on the message to other young people. It was nice to see how they went from confusion to understanding. There were also young people whose faces lit up with the proposal because they wanted something similar to be done. Honestly, it was a very nice thing to work on.”

Iris M. Andino Sepúlveda, from Cabo Rojo, is happy about the arrival of the project at the Shrine to which she is connected: “Knowing that Schoenstatt, from our Shrine of Solidarity, wants to join in the task of caring for the environment rekindled my hope for the future of my homeland. We are living in dark times, but we see in these innovative ideas a light that will transform the world. It all begins with a small personal “yes,” with a living covenant that, in community, can transform the culture of Puerto Rico into a more sustainable culture, conscious of the good we can achieve together. This new approach reminds me of the way of life in Vallendar (Germany), where it all began and where the graces of the Original Shrine of Schoenstatt flow. May all generations experience God’s love through nature! That is the hope kindled in me when I think it is possible to build a sustainable Puerto Rico.”

For those who want to know more

The group is open to Schoenstatters who wish to discuss and participate in initiatives related to integral ecology.

For more information, please contact: Rosana Silva / +34 604 94 52 86