Pope Francis’s Laudato Si’: On Care For Our Common Home and his message about the environment is available from numerous English-language publishers. Although each Laudato Si’ uses the same Vatican-provided English translation, the publications vary in length and format, and many come with added material such as discussion guides. Here is a rundown of how publishers are making their versions of the Holy Father’s second encyclical stand out.
Publisher: The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Available: June 18, 2015
Formats: Paper, $13.95
USCCB exclusively published Laudato Si for a limited time with permission from the Vatican. The encyclical focuses on Pope Francis's appeal to every person for an inclusive dialogue about how we are shaping the future for our common home.
Publisher: Our Sunday Visitor
Available: July 18, 2015
Formats: Paper, $12.95; pamphlet (package of 50), $15.95
The OSV version outlines the current state of our “common home,” the gospel message seen through creation, the human causes of the ecological crisis, ecology and the human good, and Pope Francis’s call to action for each of us. OSV has also included discussion questions.
Publisher: Twenty-Third Publications
Available: August 3, 2015
Formats: Paper, $3.50
Twenty-Third Publications’ version of Laudato Si’ summarizes the encyclical article by article; includes talking points, discussion questions, Lectio Divinia exercises, and 30 exercises that are divided into six Bible study sessions; priced for bulk sales; pocket or purse-sized booklet; eResources for teaching available.
Publisher: Ignatius Press
Available: August 21, 2015.
Formats: Sewn hardcover, $14.95.
Ignatius Press offers a high-quality hardcover keep-sake edition of the first book-length encyclical.
Publisher: CreateSpace
Available: June 27, 2015
Formats: Paper, $10.99. Kindle, $2.99
An electronic version is available from CreateSpace which explores a phrase in Pope Francis’s new encyclical that is actually a question; “What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now growing up.”