By Bro. Al Vu, SDB

(Rosemead, California) – In the heart of California’s capital, a powerful witness and an inspiring display of youthful leadership and Catholic solidarity unfolded on April 6–7 where nearly 400 Catholic high school and university students, educators, and faith leaders gathered in Sacramento for the Care for Creation Advocacy Summit—the largest Catholic advocacy event in the United States focused on Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical on caring for our common home and the most vulnerable among us.

Organized by the California chapter of the Laudato Si’ Movement and the Ignatian Solidarity Network, the summit embodied a unified Catholic response to the urgent call to care for creation.

Our Salesian delegation included students from St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, accompanied by Bro. Al Vu, SDB, Province Coordinator of the Salesian Network of Schools and Education. These young people, along with Catholic high school and university students, educators, and consecrated men and women—Jesuits, Salesians, Dominican Sisters, and Sisters of St. Joseph—gathered at the California State Capitol not only to pray and reflect but to speak directly with lawmakers representing their home communities, including legislators from Boyle Heights.

Participants met directly with California lawmakers, including representatives from Boyle Heights and other regions in Southern California that were impacted by environmental and social challenges. They shared stories from their communities and called on legislators to support policies aligned with the Church’s call to care for our common home and uphold human dignity.

But this summit was not a moment or a singular event—it was a movement. Months of prayer, formation, and learning paved the way. These young leaders entered into deep reflection on integral ecology, the sacred interconnection between people, the planet, and God. They studied urgent state legislation impacting the most vulnerable in California—laws related to fire resilience, safe drinking water, habitat preservation, and protections for immigrant communities- guided by Catholic social teaching and the voices of those on the margins, preparing not only their minds but their hearts for the mission ahead.

Their journey culminated in Sacramento, where faith met action. Rooted in the Gospel and the charism of Don Bosco, our students came as pilgrims—journeying together in this Jubilee Year, on the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’, to stand up and speak out with courage and conviction.

Throughout the summit, the youth were not simply participants; they were the leaders. Trained in advocacy and public speaking, they led conversations with lawmakers on behalf of the Church’s mission to protect creation and uphold human dignity.

They advocated for:

• Community Resilience Hubs and support for AB 550 – to strengthen local wildfire prevention efforts through improved coordination and resource hubs in vulnerable communities.
• Stronger water protections through AB 794 and SB 31 – AB 794 addresses emergency water access for underserved areas, while SB 31 promotes the use of recycled water to ensure long-term sustainability.
• Wildlife and habitat conservation supported by SB 427 – To protect endangered species and preserve natural ecosystems essential to environmental health.
• Immigrant dignity and safety through key legislation:
  ◦ SB 48 / AB 49 – Prevents immigration enforcement collaboration in schools, ensuring students and families feel safe in educational spaces.
  ◦ SB 98 – Mandates parental notification before immigration-related actions, keeping families informed and empowered.
  ◦ SB 635 (Street Vendor Protection Act) – Protects street vendors, many of whom are immigrants, from unfair fines and enforcement, supporting small-scale entrepreneurship.

These legislative efforts were more than political—they were moral imperatives, deeply rooted in Catholic Social Teaching. When our Salesian students stood before lawmakers, they carried with them the Gospel’s call to care for the poor, protect creation, and embody prophetic hope. Each bill they discussed and every conversation they had was more than policy—it was a living proclamation of faith. They reminded legislators that behind every statistic is a child, a family, a community—each one cherished by God. In their advocacy, they gave voice to the Church—a Church that walks with the poor, listens to the earth, and believes in the transformative power of youth.

This was more than an advocacy event—it was a sacred journey of transformation.

Echoing Pope Francis’s call to be “pilgrims of hope,” our young people responded with bold love, prophetic conviction, and a deep commitment to justice. In this Jubilee Year and on the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’, the gathering became not just a summit but a true pilgrimage of the heart and spirit. It was a powerful call to action—to bear witness through advocacy, community, and prayer. Our students answered that call with courage and faith, stepping into their roles as young leaders of the Church and responding to the urgent cries of both the earth and the poor.

The Salesian presence at this historic moment reflects our deep commitment to forming young people who are not only spiritually grounded but socially engaged—ready to bring the hope and joy of the Gospel into a world that so desperately needs it. The Salesian family can be proud. In a time often shadowed by despair, these students stood as beacons of faith and hope. Their voices rang out across the Capitol, calling on leaders to care for creation, defend the vulnerable, and envision a future shaped by compassion and justice.

Now it’s our turn. Let their witness inspire us to take up the mantle of faithful advocacy. Let us walk more gently on the earth, speak more courageously for justice, and accompany our young people—not just with our prayers, but with our presence, our action, and our enduring support. We are invited to learn about the issues they championed, to engage with legislation that protects life and creation, and to bring the spirit of Laudato Si’ into our schools, parishes, and homes. We can host local events, deepen our understanding of Catholic Social Teaching, and empower even more young people to raise their voices with courage and conviction.

Above all, let us pray with and for these young leaders—that their courage may grow, their message may spread, and their prophetic witness may spark change far beyond the Capitol steps.

Together, as a Salesian family, let us be pilgrims of hope, builders of justice, and protectors of creation—for the sake of our common home and the generations yet to come. May their example move us all—to tread more gently on the earth, speak more boldly for justice, and walk alongside our young people as they lead us toward a more just and holy world. Their pilgrimage continues. And now, the path is ours to walk, too.