Dear Ursulines of Jesus Sisters and members of the Family of the Incarnation. In this time of great environmental challenges, it is more urgent than ever to remember the words of a great spiritual leader, Pope Francis : “The earth is not simply a deposit of resources to be exploited, but a home that we inhabit and care for”. Caring for nature is an act of justice towards future generations and towards the most vulnerable, who suffer the consequences of environmental destruction.

Ecological Essence As a team of Integral Ecology of Latin America, we promote a culture of social responsibility, encouraging the active participation of each community according to its missionary reality. Below, we present our commitment to the environment.

Community of Ancud : We opened ourselves to know the ecological reality of our municipality, visiting the general operation of the collection center (circular shed), which regulates all the recycled material from different sectors of the municipality. On this occasion we were received by Mrs. Valeria Cabello, who gave us a warm welcome and instructed us on the operation of the circular shed, which is open to the entire municipality and surrounding areas. There are trucks exclusively for recycling management that go directly to the sectors to remove the recycled materials. It should be noted that our municipality has an area of 1,752 km2 and a population of 41,661 inhabitants. Three institutions are working to make this project beneficial for everyone : Dimao, Corporación Cultural and Conaf. The shed is divided into two large infrastructures, one is where the collected recycling material is unloaded and the other is where the material is segregated (plastics, plastic and glass bottles, cardboard, aluminum, clothing), so that everything is classified for recycling and what is not useful is discarded material (it is the least). Then, the maxi bags are loaded, which are taken to the baler for final processing and sale. It is important to mention that there is traceability with the buyer until it reaches its final destination, which is called valorization. There is also a communal compost bin at the social fair, where compost bins are taken and removed twice a week (this is something new that is being implemented in the commune).

• Message Mrs. Valeria :” Just as we keep our house clean, let’s keep our community clean, I urge you to participate more and get involved in protecting the environment, we know that the processes are long, but with patience, with a little grain of sand we can cooperate.”

Community of Cochabamba Bolivia : As a country, Bolivia faces various ecological adversities that affect both human and natural communities. There are no landfills, garbage dumps are scarce in the streets, people are not aware of protecting the environment, it also depends on each and every one. There are areas where water is scarce, you can not drink water directly from the tap, because it is very polluted. At the city level, and especially in the confederation of religious, we do a lot of work with young people. From time to time the sisters go with them to plant trees in the mountains or around the city ; this is also a way of educating them. The Sisters are very conscious of ecology. At home they try to recycle plastic and organic materials, leaving everything separate and especially water, which is often scarce. For example : when they wash clothes, they reuse the water to clean the floors and the water without soap is used to water the green house, their plants are their living nature gardens, which we know it is not easy to maintain a green area especially when water is scarce.

• Message Sisters Cochabamba :“ In our country, the lack of environmental awareness is the reason why people do not get involved in environmental care.”

Community of Santo Cura de Ars. Santiago : Sowing life in small spaces is also taking care of the planet. As a community they create a sustainable environment where they grow their own vegetables, nothing is wasted. They respect biodiversity, their organic garden is not only a space for cultivation, but a symbol of life, respect for the earth and shared responsibility. Every day they commit themselves to : protect their trees, harvest their fruits, cultivate and contemplate their beautiful flower garden, their medicinal plants, using irrigation responsibly. At home they recycle plastics, cardboard, water and, above all, the organic material that is essential for their crops.

• Message Sisters Santiago : “With creativity and commitment, a vegetable garden can flourish even in small spaces.”

Dear sisters and brothers, let us continue to walk with our hearts on Earth and our souls in communion with all creation.

• “To love Creation is to reflect divine charity, let us take care together of our common home.” Louis Marie Baudouin.

International Commission on Ecology - May 1, 2025.