Justice and charity towards the needy

It is a great work of charity and justice to strive for the elimination of poverty, illiteracy and ignorance. Nevertheless, charity will always be necessary, because in this world justice can never completely achieve man’s happiness. Besides, there will always be some people who suffer the poverty of loneliness or misunderstanding.

One learns to exercise fraternal charity

And so I repeat that these visits to Our Lady’s poor are especially formative. They teach souls to appreciate the exercise of a living and practical fraternal charity. And when they see others who are materially or spiritually in need, they give thanks to God for the good things he has given them.

And see Jesus in one’s neighbour

With these visits we are not aiming to awaken any form of superficial social concern. It is a question, as I have said, of putting these young people in contact with their neighbour in need. Our St Raphael fellows learn, in a practical way, to see Jesus Christ in the poor, the sick, the weak, the lonely, the suffering, and in children.

Then the King will say to those at his right hand, Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.

Then the righteous will answer him, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you? And the King will answer them, Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me (Matt 25:34-40).