BY IGNATIAN SPIRITUALITY STAFF
As the world mourns the loss of the prophetic leader in Pope Francis, California Catholic youth are galvanized by his example and heeding his call to care for our common home. On April 7, 2025, over 400 Catholic youth and adult leaders across California converged in Sacramento to walk, pray, and advocate as Pilgrims of Hope for Creation. The powerful, youth-led pilgrimage and advocacy day celebrates the anniversaries of Laudato Si’, St. Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of the Creatures, and the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year.
Organized by the California Chapter of the Laudato Si’ Movement (LSM) North America and Jesuits West Province, this pilgrimage is part of the nationwide “Pilgrimages of Hope for Creation” campaign. Pilgrims journeyed from almost every diocese in the state, uniting to live out their faith through action.
Bishop Jaime Soto (far right) celebrates Mass at Jesuit High School in Sacramento.
The pilgrimage began the day prior with Mass at Jesuit High School Sacramento celebrated by Bishop Jaime Soto of the Diocese of Sacramento. With the urgent call to care for our common home and protect vulnerable communities, students met with 71 legislators in 35 scheduled advocacy meetings. “This pilgrimage is our way of living out our faith—walking in solidarity, lifting our voices, and advocating for policies that protect the environment and vulnerable communities,” said Elias Duran, a high school student from Loyola High School of Los Angeles. “We are called to be caretakers of creation. This is our chance to show that we are ready to lead.”
Students were trained in the principles of Laudato Si’ and carried a Pilgrimage Journal to ground the experience in individual and communal moments of prayer and reflection. They also wore pins and stickers with the LSM California Chapter logo adapted by a student from the University of San Francisco, featuring an earth made of colorful handprints—a symbol of collective responsibility, creation, and care for the vulnerable. Banners crafted during a pre-summit gathering reflected this symbol, creating a visually unified message of hope and solidarity.
(Left) Pilgrims process from the Capitol steps to the legislative office building for their advocacy meetings. (Right) Pilgrims witness publicly with their hand-made banners.
This wasn’t just an exercise in symbolism. Youth advocated for three key legislative priorities: fire resilience and prevention, water and habitat protection, and humane immigration policies. These are not abstract concerns but lived realities across California.
“These youth give us hope for the care of creation,” said Dr. Christina Bagaglio Slentz, Director for Care for Creation in the Diocese of San Diego. “We need them to demand transformation of our energy systems, hold polluters accountable, and advocate for those pushed to migrate by climate change.”
From Los Angeles to San Francisco, the voices were unified and impassioned. “We are not invisible, and we are not voiceless,” said Melanie Martinez from Dolores Mission parish. “We can’t keep waiting for someone to save us—we have to do it ourselves. This is the first step to salvation.”
Rooted in their lived experiences in California and various places where they have witnessed environmental deterioartion due to climate change, the students’ urgency fueled their steps as they processed together to the legislative office building, culminating the lengthy journeys many of them made to get to Sacramento. “From growing up in the Bay Area to visiting family in South India, I’ve seen how climate change is impacting vulnerable communities all over the world,” said Amrita Candadai from Presentation High School in San Jose. “We have an obligation to advocate for change.”
Pilgrims gather with Bishop Soto after the April 6 Mass.
The pilgrimage was supported by a network of Catholic leaders who volunteered to lead prayer and reflection for the students during their online prep sessions, including Bishop Bejarano of San Diego, Bishop Cantu of San Jose, Fr. Sean Carroll, SJ (Provincial of Jesuits West), Sr. Ann Pratt, OP, and many others from parishes, schools, and organizations across the state. The pilgrimage was organized by the California Chapter of the Laudato Si’ Movement with planning team members from ministries including St. Anthony’s Parish, Bishop O’Dowd High School, Catholic Charities Stockton, Catholic Climate Covenant, Catholic Relief Services, Climate Center with leadership from Jesuits West, and the Racine Dominicans.
Students from Verbum Dei Jesuit High School in Los Angeles meet with a staffer to advocate for the three common legislative priorities.
“This was both a wonderful learning opportunity and an incredibly empowering experience,” shared Sophia Fung from Kennedy High School in La Palma. “Meeting legislators reminded us that ordinary people have real power to make change.” These youth embodied bold, compassionate, and determined leadership rooted in faith. May Pope Francis continue inspiring these and all youth as they remind us of our mutual belonging and our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork.
Editor’s Note:
Members of the Ignatian family are invited to follow the lead of these young people by hosting their own Pilgrimage of Hope for Creation on the eve of St. Francis’ Feast Day (October 3) or on the Feast of St. Francis (October 4). Honoring Pope Francis, who made justice and care for our common home central to his papacy, we can live out Laudato Si’ through this collective effort.
To learn more about leading a pilgrimage, visit the Pilgrims of Hope for Creation website, join the Ignatian family launch call on April 28, 2025, or if you are a young person, sign up for the youth planning call on May 14, 2025.
