Connecting faith and creation at FaithActs

I spent five days and four nights in June on Loyola’s campus participating in Loyola’s FaithActs Summer Youth Theology Institute with about 20 other rising high school juniors and seniors from Louisiana and Mississippi. We were joined by Loyola students, mentors, faculty and staff.

Before going to FaithActs, I had never thought much about my environmental impact. I knew very little about environmental justice. In addition, I had never considered how faith and the environment are connected. 

I went into FaithActs hoping to learn more about what I could do for the earth. At FaithActs, we learned about the loss of wetlands, locally unwanted land use and the environmental problem with fast fashion. We talked about the causes of these problems and how we can fix them. We also went kayaking on the northshore and took a nature walk in Audubon Park.

 In addition to learning about the environment, we talked about faith. We discussed vocation, what God calls us to do with our lives. We learned about Ignatian spirituality and one of its inspiring themes – finding God in all things. We participated in Ignatian prayer in the chapel and had time to journal and reflect in the Peace Quad on Loyola’s campus. Being in nature while kayaking and walking through Audubon Park gave me the opportunity to see God in nature, while the Ignatian prayer and reflections reminded me to put God and faith at the center of my life and take time every day to practice gratitude.

God’s creation was ‘good’

During my time at FaithActs, I learned a lot about faith and the environment. I learned that they are more connected than I could have imagined. When God created the world, he saw it was good. He created every creature in his image, and when he created humans, he granted them dominion over the earth. This means that he gave humans the responsibility to protect and care for the rest of creation. 

Ignatian spirituality teaches that “all is gift.” This means that since everything was created in God’s image, God is in everything and everything is a gift.

During our time together, we also read many excerpts from Pope Francis’ encyclical “Laudato Sí.” Pope Francis emphasizes that humans are not separate from the rest of creation, but a part of it. He encourages humans to care for the environment and for all people because we are all connected.

After attending FaithActs, I am inspired to become a religious leader in my community. I want to share my knowledge with others and encourage them to care for the environment. I believe the best way to do this is to educate them on the issues our earth is facing. 

Apart from telling people what I have learned, I would suggest that other high school students also attend FaithActs. I would encourage them to go because it was a positive experience that allowed me to both learn something about environmental justice and also improve my relationship with God. Besides, it was also fun. It was an experience I think everyone should have.

Samantha James is a junior at Ursuline Academy in New Orleans.