arbores gratiarum
Trees of Thanksgiving
From the wood of the Cross to living trees of thanksgiving, Arbores Gratiarum is a seven-year journey of gratitude, regeneration and hope toward the 2,000th anniversary of our Redemption in 2033.
Plant. Grow. Sustain.
Seven trees each year. Seven years. One living offering of thanksgiving.
THE GLOBAL INVITATION
A world in need of renewal.
There are approximately 3.04 trillion trees on Earth, yet nearly half of the world’s trees have been lost since the beginning of human civilization. Today, despite natural regeneration and new growth, the world continues to experience a net loss of around 10 billion trees each year.
There are more than 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide — a global community of believers with an extraordinary capacity to become a force for renewal and hope.
3.04 TRILLION
TREES ON EARTH
≈ 10 BILLION
NET TREES LOST EACH YEAR
1.422 BILLION
CATHOLICS WORLDWIDE
A GLOBAL ACT OF THANKSGIVING
Seven trees. Every year. For seven years.
From Easter 2026 to 2033, every Catholic is invited to plant, grow and sustain seven trees each year as a living offering of thanksgiving.
7
TREES EACH YEAR
× 7
YEARS
≈ 70 BILLION
TREES BY 2033
WHY TREES OF THANKSGIVING?
From the wood of the Cross to living trees of thanksgiving.
Arbores Gratiarum begins with a simple image: the Cross of Christ was fashioned from wood. Through the Resurrection, the instrument of death became a sign of life and hope.
As we journey toward the 2,000th anniversary of Redemption in 2033, we are invited to respond with gratitude — by planting, growing and sustaining living trees as an offering of thanksgiving for the gift of creation, the grace of Redemption and the generations who will come after us.
“Behold, I make all things new.”
— Revelation 21:5
OUR APPROACH
Not simply planting.
Regeneration.
A tree planted is only the beginning.
Arbores Gratiarum calls us to plant, grow and sustain — to nurture trees beyond planting day, restore ecosystems, protect biodiversity and care for the places where life can flourish.
PLANT
Begin with life.
Choose native and indigenous trees suited to place.
GROW
Care beyond planting.
Nurture each tree to take root, mature and thrive.
.
SUSTAIN
Protect what grows.
Restore habitats, strengthen biodiversity and sustain living ecosystems.
THE SEVEN-YEAR JOURNEY
From Easter 2026 to 2033, Arbores Gratiarum follows the life of a tree as a spiritual and ecological journey — from the Seed of the Word to the Fruit of the Spirit.
From Seed to Fruit.
2026—2027
01
THE SEED
The Potential of the Word
Everything begins with the Word of God. Like a seed, it may be small and hidden, yet within it lies the promise of new life.
“The seed is the word of God.”
— Luke 8:11
2027—2028
02
THE ROOT
The Hidden Foundation
Before a tree reaches upward, it must first grow deep. Roots speak of a faith grounded in Christ — hidden yet strong, drawing from the living water that sustains life even in times of drought.
““Rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith…”
— Colossians 2:7
2028–2029
03
THE TRUNK
Steadfast Strength
As the tree grows, its trunk gives it strength to stand. It speaks of a faith made visible — steadfast and enduring, remaining firm through changing seasons and bearing witness in the world.
“He is like a tree planted by streams of water… whose leaf does not wither.”
— Psalm 1:3
2029–2030
04
THE BRANCH
The Vital Connection
A branch cannot flourish on its own. It remains alive by staying connected to the source that nourishes it. The branch reminds us that faith grows through communion — with Christ, with one another and with the whole community of creation.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me… you will bear much fruit.”
— John 15:5
2030–2031
05
THE LEAF
Vitality and Healing
Leaves receive light and sustain the life of the tree. They offer shade, shelter and renewal. The leaf reminds us that a flourishing faith becomes a source of healing — for people, communities and the wounded ecosystems of our common home.
“The leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.”
— Revelation 22:2
2031–2032
06
THE FLOWER
The Promise of Grace
The flower reveals that growth is approaching fulfillment. Beautiful yet fragile, it is a sign of promise — inviting us to gratitude, humility and hope as we prepare for the Jubilee of Redemption.
““The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”
— Isaiah 40:8
2032–2033
07
THE FRUIT
The Evidence of the Spirit
Fruit is the visible sign of a life that has matured. Our seven-year journey culminates in thanksgiving expressed through love, service and living ecosystems sustained for generations to come.
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness…”
— Galatians 5:22–23
2033 · JUBILEE OF REDEMPTION
A Living Offering of Thanksgiving.
From the wood of the Cross to living trees of thanksgiving.
HOW TO TAKE PART
Begin with seven trees.
Every Catholic is invited to make a simple commitment: plant, grow and sustain seven trees each year from 2026 to 2033 — choosing native and indigenous species suited to the place and caring for them as they grow.
01
Commit
Make your seven-tree commitment for the year.
02
Choose
Choose native and indigenous trees suited to the place.
03
Plant
Plant with care, giving each tree the best chance to thrive.
04
Record
Document your trees and their location as part of the shared journey.
05
Nurture
Care for each tree beyond planting day so it can take root and thrive.
06
Sustain
Protect what grows and care for the wider living ecosystem.
07
Share
Share the journey and inspire others to grow their own living offering of thanksgiving.
JOIN THE JOURNEY
Make a living commitment.
Join Arbores Gratiarum as an individual, family, parish, diocese, school, religious community, organization or institution. Make a commitment to plant, grow and sustain trees — and help nurture a living offering of thanksgiving toward 2033.
our shared JOURNEY
Every tree becomes part of a greater story.
Across communities and countries, every commitment becomes part of a growing global offering of thanksgiving. Together, we will follow not only how many trees are committed and planted, but how many are nurtured, sustained and growing into living ecosystems.
INDIVIDUALS
INSTITUTIONS
TREES COMMITTED
TREES PLANTED
TREES SUSTAINED
COUNTRIES
FORESTS ADOPTED
growing with care
The right tree. The right place. The right care.
Planting a tree is an act of hope. Helping it become part of a flourishing ecosystem is an act of care. Arbores Gratiarum encourages ecologically appropriate native and indigenous species, long-term nurturing, biodiversity protection, and the restoration and stewardship of forests and other living ecosystems.
01 — NATIVE
Prioritize native and indigenous tree species appropriate to the local ecosystem.
02 — PLACE
Plant where trees can thrive without harming natural habitats, grasslands or other ecosystems.
03 — DIVERSITY
Grow a diversity of appropriate species rather than creating single-species plantations.
04 — CARE
Nurture trees beyond planting day through protection, monitoring and long-term stewardship.
05 — SURVIVAL
Measure success not only by trees planted, but by trees that survive, mature and thrive.
06 — RESTORATION
Restore degraded ecosystems and strengthen biodiversity, ecological functions and resilience.
07 — STEWARDSHIP
Adopt, protect and regenerate existing forests and other living ecosystems.
FAITH IN ACTION
Care for creation is an expression of our faith.
Arbores Gratiarum is rooted in the conviction that caring for creation is not separate from Christian life. It flows from our encounter with Christ and becomes visible in the way we love, protect and restore our common home.
LAUDATO SI’
“Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue.”
— Pope Francis, Laudato Si’, 217
LAUDATE DEUM
“Our responses have not been adequate, while the world in which we live is collapsing and may be nearing the breaking point.”
— Pope Francis, Laudato Si’, 217
POPE LEO XIV
“If we take up this task with humility and faith, we will become collaborators in God’s work of renewal.”
— World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, 2026
TOWARD 2033
Let us grow a living offering of thanksgiving.
From one tree to seven, from one person to a community, from one place to a global journey — every tree we plant, grow and sustain can become an act of gratitude, hope and renewal.
Seven trees each year. Seven years. Toward 2033.
From the wood of the Cross to living trees of thanksgiving.
ALREADY MADE A COMMITMENT?
Continue your journey.
Planting is only the beginning. Return throughout the journey toward 2033 to tell us what has been planted, what continues to grow, and the forests and ecosystems you are caring for.