Past the coconut palm and the greenhouse and the tree nursery, alongside the garden of medicinal plants like ginger and turmeric and aloe vera, following a busy procession of leaf-cutter ants, the Web of Life retreatants' happy chatter rang through the trees as they walked through the Maryknoll Pastoral Center's forest.

Panama's importance in the history of planet Earth is hard to exaggerate. Nearly 3 million years ago, the iconic land bridge emerged to join two continents and divide a vast ocean in two, opening a bridge to a massive migration of species and shifting of ocean currents. It triggered an ice age and may have helped create conditions that led to the evolution of humans.

The first in a 10-day series of eco-spiritual explorations began with a ritual and reflection on origins of the universe. Attendees introduced themselves and shared a bit of their collective sum of life experience. 

Home again, a humdrum of living now hovers. Has the wonder that was exponentially increased on the Camino been watered down? Has my heart become re-hardened to the wonders I encounter each day?

GSR Today - We're launching a new monthly series called The Life. Sisters from our panel of 20 across the global north and south share a universal charism rooted in diverse ministries and distinct experiences; this month, we've asked about how their communities are carrying out Laudato Si'.

"We have to find ways of living without damaging the Earth, but we have to go way beyond that to a much more creative way of relating to the whole community of life on this planet and toward a more harmonious future."

"As soon as I saw Maryknoll I said, 'There, that's something I would be interested in.' "