Solidarity is a main theme of Catholic social teaching, and our Catholic sisters model solidarity with people oppressed, people living in poverty, in violence, and those who suffer injustice. Pope Francis said that "realities are greater than ideas," and the sisters model the realities of solidarity, embodying Christ in the world today, in their ministries and in their advocacy for the transformation of unjust systems and structures. Pope Leo XIV spent many years working in solidarity with the impoverished people of Peru, even driving a truck himself to personally deliver food after a natural disaster in a rural area. Leo demonstrated how to be present to the suffering of others and to literally be with them in their hour of need.
They demonstrate that action must be grounded in a deep spirituality, in a faith that calls them to live out the Gospel with commitment and courage. These sisters can be important role models for our youth.
Standing with others in solidarity can often take the form of raising our voices to advocate for justice through emails, letters, petitions, etc. Many Catholic organizations offer advocacy suggestions to guide people of faith to follow the challenge of Catholic social teaching. The bishops have suggestions for advocacy on their website (www.usccb.org), as do Catholic Relief Services (www.crs.org) and Network (www.networklobby.org). Grounding our efforts in prayer is central to these organizations. Pope Francis reminded us that praying for others is a form of solidarity. Pope Leo XIV, in his first Sunday address, has called us all to pray "to assist us in living in service to one another."
Solidarity and faith in action
Share with students that Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is one of many Catholic organizations that offer both prayers and suggested advocacy actions to encourage solidarity with all those in our world who need help. CRS staff around the globe are helping in the short term by delivering food and in the long-term by such projects as teaching modern farming methods that take climate change and changing weather patterns into account. While a significant part of their funding from the U.S. government has been cut recently, CRS continues to advocate for development aid. (Development aid has been a long-standing part of the U.S. national budget. Developed nations are urged by the United Nations to give about 0.7% of their gross national income to help developing countries; the U.S. has usually given less, at about 0.2% of its gross national income, and some countries have given more.)
CRS staff around the globe have seen how important that aid is for poor countries, and they ask people of faith to advocate for continuing U.S. aid to those who live in extreme poverty without enough food.
Have students first look over the prayers CRS offers: www.crs.org/get-involved/prayer-resources.
Then have them explore the advocacy actions CRS suggests: www.crs.org/ways-to-help/advocate/take-action.
Finally, have them do a web quest to find another Catholic organization that focuses on a justice or peace issue they are interested in; note what kind of action for solidarity this organization proposes. Does the website offer any prayers?
Why is grounding advocacy for solidarity in prayer so important for people of faith?
How can praying before and after acting in solidarity bring a deeper dimension to faith in action? Have you had any experiences of prayer before service and before acting for justice and peace?
What kind of action in solidarity does CRS call for?
What kind of action in solidarity do other organizations call for?
What kind of action in solidarity with those suffering, oppressed and/or on the margins do you feel you might explore, so you can make a difference?
God of justice and peace, we pray for all those who are oppressed, who are suffering, who live with daily injustices. May we take the time to learn about their lives, and may we be open to the Spirit so we can find creative ways to be with them in solidarity. Inspire us to see how we can create a better world, in community with others and through your grace. Amen.
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