JPIC
JPIC
Everything is interconnected.
Our common home, Mother Earth, is now crying out.
- Laudato Si' 1, 2 -
"In this era,
confronting the realities of injustice, violence, and ecological destruction,
what should the Church confess, and what should it do?"
JPIC is the Church's, and thus the Little Servants'
resolution and response to this question.
JPIC
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JPIC is a faith movement that emerged across Christianity in the mid-20th century
after deep reflection on the signs of the times
regarding the destruction of the created order. -
The three themes of JPIC—Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation—
represent three aspects of the same reality.
Justice means preserving the created order
that contains God's will, and peace is the result of this justice. -
The practice of this justice extends not only to the private realm but also to social systems
that have a decisive impact on ecological destruction.
Since unjust social systems and ecological problems are inseparably related,
social justice and ecological justice are two aspects of God's justice of preserving creation. - JPIC encompasses all values and practices carried out with these orientations.
History
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After the Second Vatican Council,
while the Holy See and the World Council of Churches (WCC)
were discussing social justice issues through mutual exchange,
JPIC was adopted at the World Council of Churches (WCC) meeting held in Vancouver in 1983.
Since then, the 'International Union of Superiors General (UISG)'
and the 'Union of Superiors General (USG)'
have been jointly operating a secretariat named 'USG/UISG JPIC Roma since 1993.
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Pope Francis has continuously expressed
and urged concern for social vulnerable groups and nature
through the 2013 apostolic exhortation 'Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel)', the 2015 encyclical 'Laudato Si' (Praise Be to You)', and the 2020 'Fratelli Tutti (All Brothers)'.
In particular, through 'Laudato Si'',
he made it clear that the integral ecological awareness and practice—
that social justice and environmental justice are inseparably related—
is also the vocation of all Christians in the present age. -
Furthermore, in 2020, he designated the period
from the 'World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation' (September 1)
to the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi (October 4) as the 'Season of Creation'.
And in 2021, he recommended starting the seven-year 'Laudato Si' Journey' toward a fully sustainable world
according to the spirit of integral ecology, thereby presenting the direction and method our Church should take.
Sources
- Scripture: The Incarnation of Jesus in the Old and New Testaments
- The Spirit of the Second Vatican Council (1965)
- The Social Teaching of the Church
- Justice in the World (Synod of Bishops Document, 1971)
- Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), Teaching of Pope Francis
- Laudato Si': Encyclical on Care for Our Common Home
- Founding Charism - The Gospel of Incarnation
- Light of the Holy Family
(Constitutions and Rules of the Little Servants of the Holy Family)
Journey of the Little Servants
We observe and discern
our contemporary circumstances and demands
from a cosmic perspective,
and make proactive and challenging choices and responses.
- Light of the Holy Family, Article 45 -
Beginning with their 15th General Chapter in 2013,
the Little Servants of the Holy Family resolved to respond to God's call
to turn their attention to social issues causing injustice, violence, and ecological destruction.
To actualize the adopted action plan,
'Restoring God's Created Order - A New Beginning with the Prophetic Mission of Incarnation',
they established the JPIC Office in 2015.
The Little Servants have been actively working around this focus,
and through their 16th and 17th General Chapters,
they have further deepened their sense of mission, continuing to this day.
Little Servants Now · Here
The Spirit of the Lord urges them
on to the world's most urgent places.
Restoration of God's Created Order,
Prophetic Mission of Incarnation
- 15th General Chapter -
The Little Servants strive to fulfill that prophetic mission of Incarnation,
anytime, anywhere, if it's here and now,
and anything if it's a JPIC mission.
Perspective
Reading the Context of the Times
The first step to solving any problem
lies in confronting reality and correctly identifying the problem.
I have heard them crying out."
- Exodus 3:7 -
"Our common home, Mother Earth, is now crying out."
- Laudato Si' 2 -
With deep compassion and a sense of responsibility,
we gather various information related to JPIC,
form networks with church members both domestically and internationally,
as well as with civic organizations, and share and disseminate this information.
Internalization
The Call to the Most Urgent Places
Where is God calling us now, here?We seek to listen to His voice calling us
to justice, peace, and the integrity of creation,
the mission of Incarnation in the 21st century.
"Go into the world and proclaim the gospel to all creation."
- Mark 16:15 -
"We are called to guide all creatures back to their Creator."- Laudato Si' 83 -
Formation and Education
To internalize JPIC values,
we implement liturgies, programs, and educational processes
that support reflection and discernment for social engagement,
both within and outside the Congregation.
- Liturgy : Mass intentions and prayers related to social issues,
creative ecological liturgies (Earth Day, Season of Creation) - Internal Education : Lectures, studies, seminars, video viewing
- External Education : JPIC Formation School
Action
Prophetic Mission of Incarnation
We are carrying out various practices to respond to His call. As long as we are on this path,
there is always hope for us.
"They left everything and followed Jesus."
- Lc 5,11 -
"We are still on a journey toward our common home."
- Laudato Si' 243 -
Energy Transition
- System Implementation : Installation of solar panels, rainwater tanks, and other sustainable systems.
- Carbon Neutrality Practices : Carbon footprint calculation, Carbon Neutral Fund
(accumulating funds equivalent to the amount of carbon used to return for climate justice) - Resource Circulation : Making eco-friendly detergents, upcycling waste, gardening, and other similar activities.
Community Engagement and Space Sharing
- Opening our gardens for children from nearby daycare centers
- Exchange and space sharing with local environmental activists and organizations
Related Apostolates and Projects
- Ecological community, Spaces of Transition (open spaces, healing spaces), Programs (ecological regional leaders, educational programs, eco-friendly product creation)
Field Participation
- Activities : Climate picketing, plogging (picking up litter while jogging)*
- Field Solidarity: Wherever there is a social setting requiring JPIC commitment,
we seek to wipe away the tears of the desperate,
become their hands and feet, and raise our voices together with them.