Objectives: Xalxo: Presenting Laudato si’ as an integral and indispensable fount of creative and re-creative elements for the new evangelization ; Alejo: To find affirmation of our experience and deepen our personal commitment to the social and political dimension of the Christian mission in the contemporary world by following Pope Francis’ encyclical Fratelli Tutti. 1. To recognize and analyze some current political challenges facing Church mission, such as the rise of populism and authoritarianism, post-truth, throw-away culture, and democratic decay as implied in Fratelli Tutti’s description of the global situation ; 2. To generate options toward a more prophetic advocacy and missionary praxis, especially for human rights and dignity, dialogue and peace, as well as good governance, inspired by the Pope’s call for political spirituality and ‘social poetry’.

Contents: Xalxo: Grounded firmly on the magisterial teachings of Laudato si’ , the first part of the Course identifies new ways, hopes and challenges to the new evangelization amidst the steep decline in the sense of faith and morality in the contemporary world, in which the Gospel and the Church seem to have no necessary authority. The second part consists in analyzing diverse avenues and opportunities offered by Laudato si’ to deepen truths of Christian faith through a meaningful dialogue and evangelization of cultures ( LS 134). The third part explores the possibilities of “seeing, discerning and putting into practice” the prospects of the new evangelization and ecological conversion rooted in integral human relationship with God, with fellow humans and with the entire creation Alejo: We assume that the participants in this class have a general understanding of Pope Francis’ enormous contribution to Catholic Social Teaching. This half-semester course invites us toward a more intimate reading of Fratelli Tutti . The additional readings are meant to offer us other perspectives and to locate our discussions within a broader context.

Methodology : Xalxo: A pragmatic approach to Laudato si’ by lectures followed by the personal readings reflections and discussions on some of the pertinent texts of the Encyclical. Alejo: Participants in this class form a community of co-learners. There will be a formal lecture per session, but group interaction based on our diverse life stories and guided by the ‘D.A.R.E. Pastoral Circle’ will take us beyond academic debates. The brief weekly reflection paper serves as a platform both for self-processing and group enrichment.

Means of Evaluation : Evaluation will be based largely on the final paper to be submitted both in electronic format and in print (Oral exam / a written assignment of 12-15 pages). Class participation and the weekly reflection papers make the formal evaluation also formative.