A Catholic nun from the Congregation of the Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (SIHM) in Ratchaburi Diocese has been honored with Thailand’s prestigious St. Francis of Assisi Award for her outstanding commitment to environmental stewardship, inspired by the late Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’.
Sr. Monrudee Roekmaneechai, SIHM, was recognized as the sole winner in her age category at the “Good People for the Planet” Morality and Ethics Promotion Project, an annual initiative organized by the Senate Standing Committee on Religions, Morals, Ethics, Arts and Culture in collaboration with the Catholic Association of Thailand.
Now in its fourth year, the project celebrates individuals who exemplify moral leadership in caring for the Earth.
The award ceremony took place at Thailand’s Parliament House on July 1, where Archbishop Peter B. Wells, Apostolic Nuncio to Thailand, delivered a keynote address titled “The Environmental Crisis in the Spiritual Dimension.”
“At its core, the environmental crisis is a crisis of disconnection — a broken relationship with creation,” Archbishop Wells emphasized. “Pope Francis wrote in Laudato Si’, ‘We are not disconnected from nature. We are part of it.’”
The archbishop underscored that this ecological disregard stems from a deeper spiritual void. “When our hearts are empty, we tend to overconsume,” he said, quoting Pope Francis: “The emptier a person’s heart is, the more he or she needs to buy, own, and consume.”
The Apostolic Nuncio highlighted that this loss of connection leads to indifference and the overexploitation of natural resources. He echoed Pope Leo XIV, who warned that destroying our common home ultimately harms humanity itself.
“To harm the Earth is to harm ourselves, for we are one with God’s creation. The Earth is not simply a resource for profit — it is a sacred inheritance entrusted to our care,” said Pope Leo XIV.
Pope Leo XIV urged all people of goodwill to renew their commitment to healing the planet, emphasizing that ecological conversion must be rooted in love—love for creation, for the poor, and for future generations—rather than driven by fear.
Archbishop Wells echoed this call for an ecological conversion — a transformation of hearts and lifestyles that embraces simplicity, gratitude, and solidarity.
“It is not about fear or guilt,” he added, “but about rediscovering the sacredness of creation and choosing compassion over convenience.”
Mission despite illness
At 64 years old and living with Parkinson’s disease, Sr. Monrudee has turned an empty plot of land in Ratchaburi province, west of Bangkok, into the SIHM Care for the World Learning Center — a thriving hub for ecological learning and sustainability projects.
“I was surprised when I was informed I had won this year’s award,” Sr. Monrudee told LiCAS News. “I simply followed the call of Pope Francis, urging each of us to protect our common home.”
Her vision for the center is to offer a space where people can reconnect with nature and experience its peace and beauty. “I dream of making this place like the Garden of Eden — a place that helps us think of the Creator who made this beautiful world,” she said.
Among her key initiatives are soil and water conservation, organic waste reduction, and the raising of black soldier flies, which provide high-protein feed for animals while minimizing waste.
She also introduced keyhole vegetable gardens with composting systems that recycle canteen food waste into natural fertilizer, making the gardens low-maintenance and water-efficient.
Paul Srichandhra, a leading member of the Catholic Business Executives and Professionals, recently visited Sr. Monrudee’s project and praised it as an authentic embodiment of Laudato Si’.
“Sister Monrudee’s work is a perfect example of true Laudato Si’ in action, showing deep understanding,” Paul told LiCAS News. “Many other projects I’ve seen are superficial, simply for publicity, and not sustainable.”
He noted that the site has a rich history, originally a mixed deciduous forest, later used as a Boy Scout and Girl Guide camp, before being revitalized through natural reforestation.
In a creative integration of ecosystems, cows are brought in to graze and naturally fertilize the orchards with fresh cow dung, eliminating the need for chemical processing.
Paul emphasized that her work stands as a rare, sustainable model of ecological engagement and a genuine response to Pope Francis’ call for care of our common home.
Youth inspired by Pope Francis
The competition’s theme this year, “Sustainable Future…Our Common Home,” drew entries from both adults and young people who submitted original one-minute video clips inspired by Laudato Si’. The project aims to cultivate a deeper appreciation for environmental care among all generations.
One of this year’s runners-up was Gianna Grace Techamontrikul, an 11-year-old student who produced a short video titled “Let’s Learn About Laudato Si’ by Pope Francis.” Grace, who previously won the contest last year with her video on green living, was particularly moved to create this year’s entry following the passing of Pope Francis in April.
“It inspired me to make this clip, Save the World, Laudato Si’s Style,” Grace remarked to LiCAS News. “Even though Pope Francis is no longer with us, we must continue his message to protect our planet.”
