In July, we celebrate the priestly ordination of Father Joseph Kentenich, founder of the Schoenstatt Movement. His life was a constant invitation to see creation as a living expression of God’s love. For him, the world is not just a stage, but a visible sign of the invisible God, a living pedagogy that educates us to love, give thanks, and transform.
Nature can be a daily source of authentic happiness for us. We do not need great luxuries to experience peace and fulfillment; it is enough to go for a walk, watch a sunset, or breathe deeply next to a tree. There, in simplicity, we rediscover what is essential.
Furthermore, creation invites us to unity. It reminds us that we all live in the same house, share the same resources, and are part of a network of life that unites us. The Christian faith impels us to live this truth with commitment and love.
Learning to look at creation with Marian eyes
Father Joseph Kentenich spoke tenderly and profoundly of the world as a “Garden of Mary.” For him, creation is like a garden in which Mary, as mother and educator, cultivates her children. In this garden, each person is a unique flower called to blossom in their identity and mission. Nature not only beautifies the environment, but also educates, forms, and guides. Learning to look at creation with Marian eyes—that is, with tenderness, care, and openness to mystery—helps us grow as more human persons, more believers, and more committed to life.
From his prophetic thoughts on May 31, Father Kentenich insisted that “it is God’s will that the creatures lead us to the Creator.” Creation, therefore, is not a mere object, but a path of encounter with the divine.
Solidarity of destinies
“Seeds of peace and hope” is the theme proposed by Pope Leo XIV for the next World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. With this expression, he calls us to sow concrete actions, sustained by faith and prayer, that build a world that is more just and reconciled with the earth and with the poorest.
Pope Leo reminds us that environmental justice is not only about protecting the environment, but also a matter of social, economic, and anthropological justice. Behind every polluted river or destroyed forest, there are affected communities, children without water, and people without a future. We cannot speak of ecology without speaking of human dignity, and he inspires us to live our faith through our actions, generating a tangible impact on the community and on creation.
Today, more than ever, we are called to be responsible stewards of creation. However, it is not just about personal care; we must also be more proactive in defending the environment. With this idea in mind, the Schoenstatt Sustainability Team was born. This group, comprising members from various countries, aims to integrate sustainable practices into all our activities. Our goal is to care for our common home and ensure a greener future, faithful to our faith.
Every little gesture counts. Every decision we make—whether we consume, recycle, vote, educate, or pray—is a seed we can plant for a new world.
Father Kentenich, in his message of May 31, spoke powerfully about the solidarity of destinies. Everything is connected. What one person does impacts the world. We are responsible not only for our own lives, but also for the common good.
“One’s destiny is linked to the destiny of all,” he taught. This vision invites us to think of creation not as something foreign, but as an integral part of our shared mission. To care for the earth is to care for our brothers and sisters; to respect nature is to build peace.
A shared path: Schoenstatt and the universal Church
The messages of Father Kentenich, Laudato Si by Pope Francis, and our beloved Pope Leo XIV have a common root: recognizing that everything is connected, recovering simplicity of life, defending the most vulnerable, and seeing creation as a reflection of God’s love.
Together, they call us to a revolution of the heart, a new way of being in the world, where living with less is not a loss but a freedom, and where ecological spirituality is a sign of mature and committed faith.
July is a month to remember that God continues to sow hope in the midst of a wounded world. He does so through those who listen, love, care, and struggle with humility.
May we, as children of God the Father, guided by Mary, become living seeds of peace and hope, caring for creation, healing wounds, and walking together toward a more fraternal future.
Do you want to be part of the change?
If you feel called to contribute to a sustainable vision in Schoenstatt, we invite you to join us. Together we can make a difference!
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Rosana Silva – Our Lady of Schoenstatt Institute – Madrid
