California
Laudato si’ youth summit
April 19th and 20th, 2026
Mission and purpose:
To prayerfully journey to Sacramento and convene hundreds of Catholics from across California at the state capitol to lift up the values of Pope Francis landmark encyclical Laudato Si’, responding the encyclical's call to Care for the Marginalized & Care for Creation. We are led by youth, centering their leadership as prophetic pilgrims of hope and seeking to make a direct impact on state legislation with the hope that other states will take similar action.
The 2026 summit will bring together students, parishioners, priests and other leaders to put our faith into action by engaging directly with legislators at the California State Capitol.
When & Where:
Held from Sunday April 19th - Monday April 20th, the event begins with a Sunday afternoon of workshops, prayer and social time at Jesuit High School. On Monday April 20th, students will lead a mass public witness at the State Capitol followed by legislative advocacy meetings focused on immigration, climate justice and housing.
Adults are enthusiastically encouraged to attend the summit, April 20th, and journey with our youth as they lead us toward a hope-filled future in which God’s creation is held sacred. See below for more information and registration link.
cost:
$20 per attendee.
Full Schedule, chaperone requitements and other logistical details here.
Mandatory prep session on April 14th for ALL participants.
Organized by the Laudato Si’ Movement California Chapter
Tentative Schedule:
Tuesday, April 14th: 7pm Online prep for everyone.
Sunday, April 19th: 5pm Mass and community building for overnight attendees followed by dinner at Jesuit High School
Monday April 20th:
9am Youth-Led Public Witness at State Capitol
10am-1pm Advocacy Meetings. Lunch available on Capitol grounds.
1pm Departure
High school Student / youth participation
Two Options:
General Participant: These students will get trained on advocacy bills selected by the student leadership team, attend a virtual advocacy training on Tuesday April 14th at 7pm, and should be prepared to work with their school delegation to prepare for their advocacy meetings. General participants must attend the virtual student training on Tuesday, April 14th at 7pm. Further training will also be available Sunday evening of the summit.
Members of the Leadership Planning Team: These students will lead the summit, including doing the research to select our bills and train the larger student delegation in their key points, as well as designing and leading the public witness. Student leaders must attend attend 4-online preparatory sessions to build community, identify the bills we will focus on, and prepare to train other students on the legislation. Students on this team should be prepared to meet Tuesdays March 3rd, 17th, 31st and April 14th at 7pm.
adult participation
We Need You to Stand with Youth!
Adults are enthusiastically encouraged to stand with youth from Catholic high schools & parishes across California for a public witness at the State Capitol.
Students will lead the larger community in public prayer & a procession to the legislative office building where they will advocate on issues of:
Justice for Immigrants
Ecological Justice
Housing Justice
Adults are warmly invited to join the public witness and then do drop-in visits to legislators to deliver a copy of Laudato Si’ to districts not covered by the students.
Our youth need your support!
Adults are enthusiastically encouraged to attend the summit and journey with our youth as they lead us toward a hope-filled future in which God’s creation is held sacred.
Next steps:
Attend the mandatory prep session on April 14th where details/agenda about the summit will be shared. Once you’re registered, we will email you a reminder with the link to join the virtual prep session.
If you’re interested in supporting the youth on their advocacy journey but can’t join us in-person, please consider donating here.
