Learning the Language of Creation: Catholic Social Teaching and Integral Ecology(Enacting Catholic Social Tradition)

A vision for realizing the promise of integral ecology and putting it into practice. In his landmark encyclical on care for creation, Laudato Si', Pope Francis popularized the idea of integral ecology by connecting contemporary ecological concerns and church teachings on creation addressed by Catholic Social Thought. In Learning the Language of Creation, Franciscan Sister Damien Marie Savino, a professor of civil and environmental engineering and earth sciences, frames integral ecology as a pilgrimage guided by a process of listening and learning the language of creation. In this book, she offers a new way of thinking about creation, human beings, and the relationship between them to realize the promise of integral ecology put into practice.

About the Author :
Damien Marie Savino, FSE, currently serves as the Melchor Visiting Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences (CEEES) at the University of Notre Dame, with a concurrent appointment in the McGrath Institute for Church Life. She holds a doctorate in civil and environmental engineering from The Catholic University of America. She also holds master's degrees in theology and in soil science, as well as an undergraduate degree in biogeography from McGill University. Sister Damien Marie has lectured and written widely both nationally and internationally in the areas of ecology and theology, science and faith, and ecological resilience.

Review :
"In Learning the Language of Creation, Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist and environmental engineer, Sister Damien Marie Savino, explores the theme of 'integral ecology' which is at the heart of the Catholic Church's teachings on creation care, especially as articulated by Pope Francis in his social encyclical Laudato Si' (Chapter 4). Through a thoughtful interdisciplinary approach that brings science and theology into dialogue in light of Catholic social teaching and Franciscan spirituality, she presents integral ecology as a pilgrimage of internal conversion whereby persons can learn the language of creation and thus be inspired to reverence God more deeply and to care for others and the earth, and from that, to design solutions in accord with that language. For biblical religion teaches that our belief in God entails a vision of the world and our place within it. Her enlightening book offers a fresh way of thinking about creation and the unique place of humans in the created world, one that holds much promise for envisioning integral ecology and putting it into practice. It will be useful for Catholics and non-Catholics, for scientists and engineers, and for all concerned with how we as human persons can come together to care for our common home." Cardinal Peter Turkson, Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences -- (10/15/2025 12:00:00 AM) "Sister Damien Marie Savino, FSE, has done us a great service by gracefully articulating the relationship between Catholic Social Teaching and integral ecology on this 10th anniversary of Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si'. While Pope Francis did not invent the phrase integral ecology, and while several previous popes have highlighted the need for integral ecology, Pope Francis certainly elevated the world's attention to its seriousness. What Sister Damien does so well in the book is to explain the many practical ways in which we can practice both Catholic Social Teaching and integral ecology and thus create a more unified and wholesome spirituality with regards to all of God's creation." Dr. Peter Kilpatrick, President of The Catholic University of America -- (9/11/2025 12:00:00 AM) "Sister Damien Marie Savino, FSE, is one the very few accomplished theologians and engineers who has created a synthesis of two fields of learning within the crucible of the charism given to the church by St. Francis. She is also a savvy pedagogue who speaks with authority on the dynamics of ecological systems, the intrinsic beauty of beaver dams, and the entire grammar of creation. This publication heralds a new era for thinking about the ecology of the created order and the subtle but unmistakable vestiges of Trinitarian relationality woven into its very fabric. Sister Damien Marie Savino is a sure guide for beginners as well as advanced students of science and theology. It comes with my hearty endorsement and great confidence in the good of the order of being and action that will arise from reading this book." Dr. Peter Casarella, Professor, Duke Divinity School, Duke University -- (9/11/2025 12:00:00 AM) "Sister Damien Marie Savino's book makes a very important contribution to our understanding of the principles and practices of integral ecology in light of Catholic Social Teaching. At the University of Notre Dame we take the exploration of these principles and practices seriously. Sister Damien Marie's work helps us all to think more deeply about how we can work together to better care for one another and all of creation. I highly recommend this insightful book to anyone who cares about our future." Rev. Robert A. Dowd, CSC, President of the University of Notre Dame -- (9/11/2025 12:00:00 AM)