During the Season of Creation 2026, the communities and groups of VedrunAmérica embarked on a journey of reflection, prayer, and commitment to caring for our Common Home. Throughout September, weekly proposals and resources were shared, inviting participants to explore more deeply the importance of water as a source of life, a common good, and a fundamental element for human dignity and the balance of ecosystems.
Under the theme “Living Water, ” inspired by the biblical passage from Ezekiel 47, the tour invited participants to reflect on our relationship with water from spiritual, social, and ecological perspectives, acknowledging the wounds of creation and our responsibility to care for it.
The materials, prepared by the Communication, Prophecy, and Care for Creation Team, accompanied the reflections of the communities and various groups across the continent. Each installment included texts, biblical references, questions for dialogue, prayer suggestions, and concrete commitments.
One of the central themes was the relationship between water and human life. The lack of access to safe drinking water, the consequences of environmental crises, and the vulnerability of certain populations helped us broaden our perspective on this reality.
In particular, the theme for the second week, “Diving into the Water, ” invited reflection on the difficulties, hopes, and risks faced by migrants as they cross borders in search of a better future. Thus, care for creation was closely linked to the defense of human dignity, especially that of those living in situations of greater vulnerability.
To conclude this journey, on October 4—the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi—a webinar was held via Zoom, with participants from various countries across the continent. The gathering allowed us to explore, from the perspective of our Christian faith, the importance of water and to renew our commitment to our Common Home.
Through images and testimonies, a variety of realities were shared: the consequences of extreme weather events, the risks that water poses to many migrants, and stories of ecosystem recovery that demonstrate how commitment and collaboration can help restore life.
These experiences helped us recognize that water can be a source of life, but also a source of inequality, suffering, and conflict. Through our faith, we are called to recognize water as a right and a gift that we must care for and share.
As the Vedruna Family, faithful to our mission to educate, care for, and accompany life, we want to make caring for water a concrete expression of our charism and commitment to our Common Home.
As communities, we commit to:
- Review our consumption habits, fix leaks, and prevent water waste in our homes, schools, and apostolic works.
- Organize awareness-raising events on water conservation and its importance for life.
- Promote cleanup and conservation efforts for rivers, water sources, and natural areas, collaborating with other organizations whenever possible.
- Encourage responsible habits among children, youth, and families that help protect this common good.
- Listen to the needs of people and communities suffering from water scarcity or contamination, and support solidarity initiatives that defend their right to safe drinking water.
Following the example of Saint Joaquina de Vedruna, we want our love to translate into shared actions that educate, transform, and care for life. Therefore, we invite each community to choose at least one of these initiatives, put it into practice, and evaluate its results, making our commitment to water a living expression of our mission to build a world that is more just, fraternal, and respectful of creation.
Francisco Jáuregui, a Vedruna Lay Member from Argentina
