In response to the Season of Creation’s call “to hope and act with creation,” the Vietnamese Jesuits’ Care for Our Common Home ministry organised a tree-planting event in collaboration with Buddhist monks on 13 October at the Khmer Pagoda in Binh Phuoc Province, Vietnam.
This marks the second time this year that the Jesuits and the Khmer Pagoda came together to plant trees, adding 300 new trees to the campus. The initiative brought together participants from different walks of life: Jesuits, Buddhist monks, Catholic youth, and local Khmer Buddhists. Despite differing religious beliefs, generations, and cultural backgrounds, all participants shared a common vision—to take action for a greener, healthier planet.
The event began with an interfaith prayer ceremony, bringing together Catholic and Buddhist traditions as a symbolic gesture of unity and hope. Through spiritual practices, participants were reminded of their shared responsibility as stewards of the Earth working alongside the Creator to care for the planet.
Several participants expressed positive feelings about the interreligious event. A Buddhist monk shared, “Our activity here is a meaningful sign that religions can collaborate and work together to protect the environment, both for the present and future generations.” A Catholic youth added, “This is my first time joining an interfaith tree-planting event. I feel happy and inspired to work with others for the mission of caring for our common home.” A Khmer Buddhist participant also said, “I am filled with joy and hope that our efforts today will lead to a greener, fresher space for our religious activities.”
One Jesuit reflected on the broader significance of the collaborative activity, noting, “Nature provides a space for us to connect—with each other, with ourselves, with creation, and with the Creator. Every environmental action strengthens these connections.”
Amid global challenges such as war, flooding, and environmental degradation, these small acts of care symbolise a prophetic call to action for the future of our common home. Guided by faith and hope, the Jesuits and collaborators persist on the commitment to create tangible change, in line with the 4th Universal Apostolic Preference of the Society of Jesus to Care for Our Common Home.
Fr Do Van Lieu SJ is currently in charge of the Care for Our Common Home Ministry of the Vietnamese Jesuit Province since 2023.