Eighty-five young Catholics gathered at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Northern Thailand on Sept. 20 for a pilgrimage marking the Season of Creation and promoting ecological responsibility, spiritual renewal, and peace.
The daylong gathering was held as part of the global Season of Creation, observed from the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation on Sept. 1 until the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi on Oct. 4.
Inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, the initiative forms part of the Chiang Mai Diocese’s efforts to encourage young people to care for the environment and respond to what the late pope described as “the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.”
The Season of Creation encourages initiatives that celebrate creation and promote the protection of the natural environment.
A Journey to Lamphun
For participants from Zone 1 of the diocese, the pilgrimage began on Sept. 19 as young people traveled by train and van to Lamphun.
They gathered the following morning at St. Francis of Assisi Church, which was established 15 years ago and remains the only Catholic presence in Lamphun province.
Parish priest Father Bruno Soppelsa, an Italian Fidei Donum missionary, organized the gathering with the Sisters of the Marina Community in Lamphun and the Chiang Mai Youth Department.
Learning About Creation and Peace
Participants took part in three activity stations focusing on the life of St. Francis of Assisi, care for creation, and dialogue and peace.
In the first activity, young people learned about St. Francis’ conversion and reflected on how his call to “rebuild the Church” could apply to personal transformation.
Another session encouraged participants to see the natural world as a gift from God and reflect on their responsibility to care for creation.
Discussions on dialogue and peace focused on conflict resolution, fraternity and building relationships across the diverse cultural contexts of Northern Thailand.
During afternoon workshops, participants presented ideas on how ecological and theological principles could be translated into actions in their daily lives.
Organizers said the activities were also intended to help young people respond to contemporary social pressures while strengthening their sense of dignity and purpose.
Ecological Action and ‘Bruno’s Coffee‘
The gathering also reflected ecological initiatives associated with Father Soppelsa, founder of “Bruno’s Coffee,” a project launched more than a decade ago by Italian missionaries in Northern Thailand.
Established before the publication of Laudato Si’, the sustainable coffee project supports Indigenous mountain communities through agricultural practices intended to combine environmental protection and economic opportunities.
The project reflects the concept of “integral ecology” promoted in Laudato Si’, which connects care for the environment with social and economic concerns.
Organizers thanked the adult leaders, religious sisters and volunteers who accompanied the young participants during the gathering.
The Season of Creation observance in Lamphun will culminate on Sunday, Oct. 4, when Bishop Peter Suphot Rueksujarit of Chiang Mai is scheduled to preside over the annual feast day Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Church.
