What does Laudato Si' mean?

Laudato Si' Week begins this Saturday
(May 16-24)

An invitation to Laudato Si' Week from Pope Francis

as part of Laudato Si' Week,
we're exploring Pope Francis' Encyclical
by asking questions:

TODAY'S QUESTION:  

What do the words
 Laudato Si' actually mean?

Pope Francis’ encyclical is titled
 “Laudato Si’ - On Care for Our Common Home
and begins with
the following paragraph:

“LAUDATO SI’, mi’ Signore” – “Praise be to you, my Lord”. In the words of this beautiful canticle, Saint Francis of Assisi reminds us that our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us. “Praise be to you, my Lord, through our Sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and who produces various fruit with colored flowers and herbs.   [#1]

By tradition, papal encyclicals (circular letters) are usually written in Latin and the title of the encyclical is usually taken from its first few words. So when Laudato Si’ was released nearly 5 years ago in 2015, many assumed that the opening phrase:  “Laudato Si’, mi’ Signore” was Latin, translated as “Praise be to you Lord”. However, the phrase  “Laudato Si’, mi’ Signore” is actually a phrase in an Italian dialect (Umbiran) used in the 13th century by Saint Francis in his "Canticle of the Sun".

Pope Francis began his letter with a quote from Saint Francis!
What a fitting beginning for a document
"addressed to all people of good will"

Today, to prepare for Laudato Si' Week,
you are invited to:
 PRAY and REFLECT on
 "The Canticle of the Sun".