Writings of Marguerite Bourgeoys and Laudato Si’
As we celebrate the 5th anniversary of Laudato Si’, let us reflect on quotes from the Writings of saint Marguerite Bourgeoys in connexion with the encyclical.
p. 59 on remora (fish) – “I consider those person who are detached from everything and attached to God alone as that little fish, remora, which turns aside all that can harm a community… this little remora who obtains from God all she asks for His glory and for the good of her neighbour.”
MB tells us to be as reliant on God as the little remora fish that attached themselves to bigger fish for their survival.
p. 63 – “All Christendom is a great garden created by God…in this little garden, they are different in color, in savour, in fragrance. The gardener takes great care… of all the seeds.”
p. 64 – Mary's life is like “living water, crystal clear, springing up from the fountains of the saviour and refreshing all who come to it.”
p. 205 – ‘’When the heart is open to the sun of grace, we see flowers blossom in their fragrance.’’
p. 39 – “We will find god as we find in everywhere else.’’
p. 35 – Marguerite lived in a stable house as the first school; “this stable had served as a dove cote and a shelter for cattle.”
p. 23 – When coming to Canada Marguerite experienced nine earthquakes in 9 hours.
p. 36 – Laudato Si’ encourages us to reuse – when she was travelling across the ocean returning the 2nd time, Marguerite didn't have anything for 31 days and “made do with tow and a coil of rope,” used sail-cloth for a mattress.
p. 64 – “let us work then to cultivate flowers and fruits worth to be presented to Him”
p. 124 – “I have never doubted the mercy of God. I will always hope in Him.”
"This word has gone out through all the earth for it is said that He will send forth His fire winging to the ends of the world… that all creatures, angels, men, animals, inanimate objects, will say each in their own tongue: 'it it not we who have made ourselves; God has given us being.”
“The sun proclaims this truth, that unless its creator sustained it, it would fall back into nothingness.”
“The rocks tell that they receive their firmness and strength from God. The smallest creatures repeat the same in a language which is mute to men, but heart by their Creator. They obey his voice and they obey always, for they have not received free will as man and the angels have.”
“It is sin that has brought discord into the beautiful order of the world.”
‘’If then, I wish to follow my way of life, which is a path leading to perfection, I must unite the counsels and the beatitudes to the maxims of the gospel and the instructions of Our Lord, and follow Him along the narrow way, in His poor and humble life. I must wear the livery of the leader whom I follow. The more I follow Him without fear, the more He will protect me. The more I do His will, the more He will prove His love for me.’’
Laudato Si Quotes
Regrettably, many efforts to see concrete solutions to the environmental crisis have proved ineffective, not only because of powerful opposition but also because of a more general lack of interest. We require a new and universal solidarity. (# 14)
The climate is a common good, belonging to all and meant for all. (# 23)
We all know that it is not possible to sustain the present level of consumption in developed countries and wealthier sectors of society, where the habit of wasting and discarding has reached unprecedented levels. (# 27)
Each year sees the disappearance of thousands of plant and animal species which we will never know, which our children will never see, because they have been lost forever. (#33)
Human beings, too, are creatures of this world, enjoying a right to life and happiness, and endowed with unique dignity. So we cannot fail to consider the effects on people’s lives of environmental deterioration, current models of development and the throwaway culture. (#43)
Never have we so hurt and mistreated our common home as we have in the last two hundred years. (#53)
All it takes is one good person to restore hope! (#71)
Our relationship with the environment can never be isolated from our relationship with others and with God. (#119)
It is essential to show special care for indigenous communities and their cultural traditions. (#146)
Society as a whole, and the state in particular, are obliged to defend and promote the common good. (#157)
What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now growing up? (#160)
Results take time. (#181)
Human beings, while capable of the worst, are also capable of rising above themselves, choosing again what is good, and making a new start, despite their mental and social conditioning. (#205)
Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience. (#217)
Inner peace is closely related to care for ecology and for the common good because, lived out authentically, it is reflected in a balanced lifestyle together with the capacity for wonder which takes us to a deeper understanding of life. (#225)