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TAMBUNAN: The Carmelite Hermitage in Tambunan has launched a comprehensive greening initiative in response to the Catholic Church’s global call to care for the environment and protect the common home, as outlined in the encyclical “Laudato Si”.
The initiative includes reorganising and restoring the hermitage’s historic old grotto to transform it into a comfortable, beautiful and peaceful Prayer Garden for worshippers and visitors.
The restoration is being led by priests, monks and nuns at the Carmelite Hermitage as a proactive effort to rehabilitate the area, which had previously been closed following a landslide.
The old grotto holds deep spiritual significance for the local community and pilgrims, having witnessed numerous expressions of faith and accounts of prayers answered through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Recognising its historical and spiritual importance, the hermitage has decided to carefully reorganise the affected area, repair its physical structures and enhance the surroundings with greenery and flowering plants.
Reverend Fr Sharbel Francisco expressed his gratitude for the initial support from Fr Apollo and worshippers who had donated tree seedlings and flowers.
He said the initiative aimed to restore the grotto as a peaceful and comfortable place for prayer.
Planting trees in the affected area would not only enhance its spiritual environment but also provide ecological benefits, including improving soil stability, reducing the risk of future erosion, improving air quality and supporting local biodiversity.
The initiative also carries an important message about the community’s shared responsibility to protect the environment, rehabilitate damaged land and encourage environmentally friendly lifestyles.
The hermitage stressed that preserving the beauty and sustainability of the natural environment required continued commitment and action from everyone to ensure it could be enjoyed by present and future generations.
To support the restoration of the Prayer Garden, the Carmelite Hermitage is appealing to the public and generous worshippers to donate seedlings of shade trees and flowering plants.
Fr Sharbel said every contribution, regardless of the number of seedlings donated, would be valuable to the success of the project.
Those wishing to contribute or obtain further information may contact the hermitage’s management or deliver their donations directly to the Carmelite Hermitage.