Shalom Solidarity Reflection – September 2026

Introduction

In accordance with the Call of the 25^th General Chapter, “we, as a Laudato Si’ Congregation, unite with the Church’s movement to address the environmental and humanitarian crisis within the framework of Integral Ecology”. Keeping in mind the goals set by our international Shalom Network for the period of 2024-2026, we “explore avenues and take actions to eliminate root causes of injustice within our branches, local areas, and collectively as the International Shalom Network.” (Shalom Focus & Commitments 2024-2026)

God created a world where everything is interconnected and all creatures are part of the web of life. Thus, even the seemingly smallest action we take to promote peace and justice has an impact on our immediate and broader surroundings. It is important to keep this in mind as we carry out our service, as we meet with those entrusted to our care, as we engage with our fellow sisters, and when we pray.

Call to prayer

Triune God, source of every life, give us hope when we encounter hopelessness, brokenness, loneliness, or abandonment – within ourselves, in our fellow human beings, or in our communities. Teach us how to collaborate with you, when we realize that you have created a world in need of development, where “many of the things we think of as evils, dangers or sources of suffering, are in reality part of the pains of childbirth which God uses to draw us into the act of cooperation with the Creator.” (Laudato Si’ 80.)

Experience

In the course of our educational work, we observe that bullying among our students is becoming increasingly common in schools. In the online world, it has become even easier to speak ill of others, since hurtful comments can be made anonymously. As educators, we often find that we only learn about bullying among children afterward, or sometimes not at all.

“One of my former classmates shared her story with me: When I started high school, I had a favorite pair of trousers. Back then, I often shared photos of myself on Facebook, mostly ones, where I was with my family. In almost every photo, I was wearing the same wide-leg jeans. At school, one of the girls once said when I wore those trousers, ‘Don’t you think those trousers are a little weird? You look like an owl in them.’ I never wore those trousers again. Especially when I heard the others talking about how, since I’m wearing the same trousers in so many photos online, I certainly don’t wash them and I am lazy.”

“What I felt then was shame. And I was confused as to why others see me differently than I see myself. From then on, I was often afraid, not just of hurting someone, but also of what else I might mess up. If they criticized my trousers, then they certainly won’t like my hair or my phone, etc. Fortunately, I found wonderful friends at school, so I never felt left out of the class, because there were always one or two students I could turn to. What is sad, however, is that those who hurt me were always in the majority.” (Eszter, a high school teacher and member of the Hungarian JPIC Group whose dialogue inspired this Solidarity Reflection.)

 Reflection

Spoken words have great power. They can be used to affirm dignity and respect, or divide and diminish. As educators, our words, and even our smallest gestures reveal how we relate to the other person. For example, if I believe that every single one of my students possesses some kind of value or talent, and I approach them with that mindset, then that will be reflected in the students’ behavior as well. In the case of a student, who is being mistreated by her or his peers, this is especially our responsibility.

It is not only the abused students who need our attention and understanding, but also every abandoned, lonely fellow human being around us – whether they live in our community, family, or among those entrusted to our care. Reaching out to them, devoting our time to them, that is the gesture that can make a difference in the world.

According to Pope Francis’ teaching, integral ecology requires a holistic approach, taking into account all dimensions of life on Earth. We can only protect nature if, in addition to reforming our relationship with our earthly environment, we also reform our relationship with our fellow human beings and with God. As everything is interconnected, the protection of the natural environment is closely intertwined with the protection of the rights of the poor and the vulnerable. This includes students who are bullied, as well as those in our communities who are abandoned, lonely, and in need of care.

Action

Let us strive to be present in our community (fellow sisters, colleagues, family, workplace, etc.) in such a way that:

• fosters an atmosphere of mutual trust, growth and respect, and;
• allows us to rejoice in each other’s successes and joys, acknowledge each other’s achievements and express that openly.

Let us examine how we relate to those who think differently or hold different political, religious or moral views. If we find it difficult to accept them for this reason, instead of passing judgment, let’s try to ask clarifying questions and let’s stay at the table of dialogue.

Let us use the internet consciously and educate those entrusted to our care to do the same.

Closing prayer

Almighty God, teach us how to create a climate in our communities where growth, acceptance, and reconciliation are possible. Grant that we may strive to support one another, to encourage personal initiatives, and to make creative use of each other’s talents, thereby fostering a culture that promotes peace and justice. Amen.

Prepared by Renáta Erős, SSND from the Province of Europe for the International Shalom Network.

Graphic taken from 25^th General Chapter designed by Joyelle Proot, SSND CP.

This reflection is the fruit of a dialogue on the theme for this month’s Solidarity Reflection by the JPIC group established in the Hungarian District (EUR). Participants in the dialogue were Mónika, Gyöngyi, Zsófia, Judit, Szilvia, Annamária, Gábor, Cecília, Lea, Eszter, Gréti, and Sisters Fidelis, Janka, Sára, Réka and Renáta.