THIS AUGUST, BISHOP Kevin Vann, while in Rome during a papal audience with his former classmate Pope Leo XIV, took a side trip 15 miles outside of Rome, where he studied canon law with the future pontiff in the early 1980s.
With him was the Archbishop of Los Angeles, Archbishop Jose H. Gomez. The two visited the picturesque hilltop and lake town of Castel Gandolfo, that has served as a summer residence and vacation retreat for popes for 400 years.
ON NOV. 20 FR. MANUEL DORANTES MADE THE FIRST OFFICIAL PRESENTATION ON BORGO LAUDATO SI’ OUTSIDE OF ROME DURING A LUNCHEON IN ORANGE COUNTY. PHOTOS BY EVERETT JOHNSON/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
Recently opened to the public, the grounds include Borgo Laudato Si’ — a 135-acre spread of gardens, villas, archaeological sites and farmland that Pope Leo inaugurated in September. Borgo Laudato Si’ — named after Pope Francis’ 10-year-old encyclical that urges concrete action to be taken to save the planet, among other initiatives – includes a new Center for Higher Education that is managed by one of the archbishop’s old friends, Fr. Manuel Dorantes.
Bishop Vann and Archbishop Gomez learned about the center’s mission to care for the Earth and provide tools to society’s most vulnerable through events, conferences, seminars, education, job training and more.
And when Fr. Manuel recently visited in Orange County, so did 30 local pastoral and lay leaders.
AN OPEN, ACCESSIBLE SPACE FOR ALL
On Nov. 20, Fr. Manuel, who until his papal appointment was pastor of St. Mary of the Lake-Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Chicago, made the first official presentation outside of Rome of the vision of Borgo Laudato Si’ at a luncheon in Orange County.
BISHOP KEVIN VANN SPEAKS DURING A SPECIAL PRESENTATION ON BORGO LAUDATO SI’, WHICH TOOK PLACE ON NOV. 20.
“This is a zero-impact space, created for the welcome of all and the support of the most vulnerable,” Fr. Manuel previously said of Borgo Laudato Si’. “It will allow anyone — students, business leaders from around the world and members of religious communities — to experience a unique encounter with faith that interweaves spirituality, education and sustainability. The project’s goal is to offer an open, accessible, and inclusive space where people can be formed, reflect and experience a more conscious and respectful relationship with creation and with God.”
Following Fr. Manuel’s presentation, Bishop Vann announced that the Diocese of Orange would commit to funding two classrooms at Borgo Laudato Si’.
SUPPORTS DIOCESE EVANGELIZATION EFFORTS
As Fr. Manuel continues to seek support for Borgo Laudato Si’ at dioceses around the world, Orange County Catholic and lay leaders expressed enthusiasm for the project, which includes farmland and new areas for organic farming and regenerative cultivation.
A newly constructed training center nicknamed the Sanctuary will house a bookshop, offices, a restaurant and dining areas. The Sanctuary is carbon neutral and NZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Building) certified, with photovoltaic systems that make it self-sufficient.
BISHOP TIMOTHY FREYER ATTENDS A PRESENTATION ON BORGO LAUDATO SI’ IN ORANGE COUNTY.
“One of the strategic missions of our diocese is to go make disciples of all nations and in many ways, this project aligns with our evangelization efforts,” said Bishop Timothy Freyer.
“As I go around the diocese and I read all the letters of high school students wanting to be confirmed,” he continued, “many of them talk about service projects such as beach cleanups or other ways to help the environment, so this project is a perfect way for us to reach out to these youth. It shows that the Church isn’t just talking about doing good work but is doing good things, which is one of the ways people come to faith.”
LOCALIZING THE MISSION
Lucy Dunn, a longtime Orange County business leader, cantor and parishioner at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church whose support of the diocese has been recognized by Bishop Vann, attended Fr. Manuel’s presentation.
“This is the kind of project that will particularly interest our young people, so it’s a wonderful opportunity for evangelization,” Dunn said. “This is truly 360-degree thinking: caring for our environment, reducing climate impacts, enhancing educational opportunities, preserving ancient traditions, as well as elevating the economic status of our people while living out our faith.”
Kevin Tiber, executive vice president of Farmers and Merchants Trust Co., found Fr. Manuel’s talk “very interesting.”
Said Tiber: “As a Catholic, I always knew about Castel Gandolfo and the palace’s exclusive use to the papacy as a summer residence and vacation retreat. I salute the Borgo Laudato Si’ initiative within the papal villas of Castel Gandolfo as a real-world, living application of what Pope Francis set in motion via the Laudato Si’ encyclical.
“It’s great to see that Pope Leo continues to support the effort. It is a living model of how our Church can link care for the environment with human dignity and spirituality. I hope to be able to visit someday.”