Pope Affirms the Church Won't Abandon the Poor

From VATICAN CITY, FEB. 14, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI Visited Don Luigi di Liegro shelter run by Caritas in Rome, Recalls Christ's Identification With the Impoverished.

Click on the heading to read the full translated text.


Pope Benedict XVI is assuring the poor of the love that the Church has for them, stating that it will not abandon them.

The Pope stated this today in an address while visiting the Don Luigi di Liegro shelter run by Caritas in Rome.

The Pontiff visited the various facilities on the premises, including the health center, hostel, canteen, and pharmacy, and he blessed a commemorative plaque.

He greeted the medical staff and volunteer aid workers as well as the poor people who are being served at the shelter.

"Dear brothers and friends who have found welcome here," the Holy Father said, "know that the Church loves you deeply and will not abandon you, because it recognizes in the countenance of each of you that of Christ."

"He wanted to identify himself in a very special way with those who find themselves in poverty and indigence," he affirmed.

"The witness of charity, which in this place finds particular realization, belongs to the mission of the Church together with the proclamation of the Gospel," Benedict XVI stated.

Dignity

He added, "Man does not only need to be fed materially or helped to overcome moments of difficulty, but also has the necessity of knowing who he is and knowing the truth about himself, about his dignity."

The Pope affirmed that "the Church, with its service on behalf of the poor, is therefore charged to proclaim to all the truth about man, who is loved by God, created in his image, redeemed by Christ and called to eternal communion with him."

He continued: "Many people have thus wanted to rediscover, and are rediscovering, their dignity, sometimes lost in tragic events, and recover confidence in themselves and hope in the future.

"Through deeds, examples and words of those who lend their service here, numerous men and women are able to feel in a tangible way that their lives are protected by the Love that is God, and because of this they have a meaning and an importance."

"This profound certainty generates in man's heart a powerful, solid, luminous hope, a hope that gives one the courage to continue on the journey of life despite the failures, difficulties and trials that accompany it," the Pontiff acknowledged.

He encouraged those who work in the shelter to "have before your eyes and your heart Jesus' example, who for love became our servant and loved us 'to the end,' to the cross."

"Be joyous witnesses of the infinite charity of God," the Holy Father stated, "and, imitating the example of the deacon St. Lawrence, consider these friends of yours a treasure more precious than your life."

Click here or on the heading to read the full translated text on ZENIT'S Web page.

Valentine's Day Call to Christian Love

Around Valentine’s Day, our thoughts often turn to love. We should take this opportunity to extend our reflections to include not just romantic love, but agape, or Christian love as well. Jesus said in John 13:34-35, “Love one another as I have loved you. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” A most powerful statement on agape was made by Archbishop Oscar Romero who said, “If there were love of neighbor there would be no terrorism, no repression, no selfishness, none of such cruel inequalities in society, no abductions, no crimes.” The apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 13 that if we have faith to move mountains, but do not have love, it means nothing.

The mission of Catholic Charities of Central Texas is based on this directive to love and serve everyone—to cherish the dignity and potential of every person. This call to love is what inspires us to strengthen individuals, families (an important source of love) and communities. In his Apostolic Letter in 2000, His Holiness Pope John Paul II asks us to promote a spirituality of communion, making this our guiding principle. This means, he writes, “an ability to think of our brothers and sisters in faith within the profound unity of the Mystical Body, and therefore as ‘those who are a part of me’. This makes us able to share their joys and sufferings, to sense their desires and attend to their needs, to offer them deep and genuine friendship.” At Catholic Charities of Central Texas, we live this on Valentine’s Day and also long after the chocolates have been eaten and the flowers have wilted.

There are varying opinions as to the origin of Valentine’s Day. The most commonly accepted belief is that it honors a third century priest named Valentine who secretly performed illegal marriages. Roman Emperor Claudius II had outlawed marriage believing that single men made better soldiers as they had no emotional ties. Valentine was eventually caught and sentenced to death for defying the marriage ban and also for refusing to denounce Christianity. While in prison, Valentine befriended the jailer’s daughter. Some legends claim that he cured her of blindness. Before his execution on February 14, 269 A.D., he wrote the girl a letter thanking her for her friendship and signed it “With love from your Valentine.” In 496 A.D., Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honor him, and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers.