This time of year always feels special to me. Both of my daughters were born in the spring, around Easter, and as they celebrate their birthdays, I am reminded of the miracle of new life. I remember bringing them home from the hospital, holding their tiny, fragile bodies in my arms and marveling at the wonder of their first breaths.
Watching them grow and explore the world now is wonderful, the excitement in their eyes at spotting a bird’s nest, a butterfly resting on a flower, new lambs in the fields or baby ducklings on the pond in our local park fills me with awe and nostalgia. It reminds me not only of the joy and fragility of life but also of the responsibility we carry to care for the world that they will inherit.
Easter itself is a celebration of new life. The resurrection of Jesus offers hope that life can flourish even after hardship, and that renewal is possible. For Columban Missionaries, this resonates deeply with our mission to protect and restore biodiversity. Our values are grounded in the belief that caring for creation and caring for the poor are inseparably linked. Pope Francis reminds us in Laudato Si’ that “everything is interconnected”—air, water, land, animals and humans are all part of one community of life that we are called to safeguard.
In practical terms, this work takes many forms. Here in Britain, our eco-retreat programmes invite children and families into nature, planting trees, sowing wildflowers and creating wildlife-friendly spaces. These activities restore habitats, nurtures biodiversity and teaches stewardship, responsibility and compassion. There is something profoundly moving about being in the garden in spring, the sun warming the soil and my children’s hands covered in earth as they plant seeds that may take years to grow. It reminds me of the early days of motherhood—how tiny actions, gentle care and patience nurtures life in ways that are both immediate and long-lasting.
Overseas, Columban Missionaries work with communities in countries such as Pakistan, the Philippines, and in Chile, supporting projects designed to protect and restore biodiversity while ensuring local people have sustainable access to essential resources. These actions reflect the belief that protecting life, be that human, animal or plant life, is both a spiritual and practical responsibility of us all.
Easter reminds us that hope and care are intertwined. Just as Jesus rose to new life, we are called to nurture life around us. In John 12:24, he says: “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces much grain.” Even small acts such as planting trees can have a profound impact, renewing creation and supporting those on the margins.
This Easter, as I reflect on my journey of motherhood thus far with my young daughters, on faith and on the work of the Columbans, I am reminded that life is fragile but resilient. The resurrection of Jesus inspires us to care for all living things and by protecting and restoring biodiversity, we live out the call to care for the earth and the poor, honouring God’s creation and passing on a legacy of hope, love, and life for future generations.
