By Myriam Theresa Như Trang, Communications Coordinator, Vietnam
“God is present in every seedling of the forested mountains, and He also suffers with the pain of the poorest people on this land. To love them is to protect His creation.”
— Blessed M. Aguchita
When the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd launched the Global Green Lung Initiative, it sparked a worldwide movement of ecological conversion. Rooted in the witness of Blessed Aguchita—who championed both marginalized communities and the fragile ecosystems of the Amazon—and guided by Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si’, the initiative reminds us that caring for our common home and protecting vulnerable people are two dimensions of a single mission.
In Vietnam, this global call has taken deep root. From the rural waterways of the Mekong Delta to the industrial edges of Ho Chi Minh City, Good Shepherd sisters, partners-in-mission, and children are proving that ecological healing begins with simple, everyday acts of love.
Cultivating Care in Ca Mau
In Ca Mau, a region on the front lines of climate change, the sisters are expanding their mission beyond the classroom. Alongside grassroots efforts to help rural women manage waste and protect fragile waterways, children at the Ca Mau Charity Class are learning the language of creation.
With small hands in the soil, they plant trees, clear litter, and protect local water sources. Through these tactile lessons, they discover a profound truth: just as a young sapling requires patience and nourishment to grow, every human life need dignity, care, and love to flourish.
A Living Classroom in Vinh Loc B
On the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City, the Vinh Loc B Community faces distinct environmental pressures amid surrounding industrial workshops and limited waste infrastructure. Here, the sisters have turned their community garden into a vibrant space of life, creativity, and healing.
This small garden serves as a dedicated space for reflection, prayer, and ecological renewal. As the sisters gather for community life and spiritual formation, they tend to the soil and cultivate the “inner garden” of their own hearts, fostering peace, gratitude, and a deeper commitment to protecting all creation.
Seeds for Generations to Come
The Global Green Lung Initiative reminds the world that while Earth needs vast forests, it equally depends on the small, daily sanctuaries of green tended with love. Every protected river, every thriving sapling, and every child’s smile as a new shot emerges stands as a tangible seed of hope.
Through these quiet yet powerful gestures, the Good Shepherd mission in Vietnam continues to breathe new life into our common home – planting a sustainable future for generations to come.
