杏MAP导航: Christian workers must feel at home in Church communities

A postal worker in Switzerland hauls a cartload of mail

杏MAP导航

杏MAP导航 Francis meets with members of the Movement of Christian Workers, and calls for labourers to renew society through solidarity and work for the common good.

By Devin Watkins

The Movement of Christian Workers met with 杏MAP导航 Francis on Friday, as the Vatican-recognized federation of Christian labourers鈥� associations marks over 50 years of service.

The 杏MAP导航 thanked the group for their contributions to society in the aftermath of the Second World War, and reflected on the twin themes of purification and a new 鈥減lanting season鈥�.

鈥淚t is important not to indulge in self-celebration, but to recognize the Holy Spirit's action in the folds of your history, not so much in sensational events, but rather in the humble, everyday ones.鈥�

Purification and conversion

杏MAP导航 Francis focused first on the constant need for 鈥減urification鈥� of every human experience, since we are all sinners and in need of God鈥檚 mercy.

He noted that our willingness to open ourselves to conversion is a sign of courage and strength, not of weakness.

鈥淲e must welcome the newness of the Spirit without putting obstacles in the way,鈥� he said, 鈥渁llowing young people to find space, and the spirit of gratuitousness to be cherished and shared, not losing the resourcefulness of the beginnings鈥�.

The 杏MAP导航 encouraged the Movement of Christian Workers to find renewal in those beginnings and the Second Vatican Council鈥檚 exhortation for Christians to read the signs of the times.

Planting seeds of welcoming communities

The 杏MAP导航 went on to call for a 鈥渘ew planting season鈥� as they look to the future in the wake of the pandemic and what he called the 鈥渙ngoing Third World War鈥�.

He urged the movement to work specifically on making Church communities welcoming for Christian workingmen and women, listening to their problems and desire for solidarity.

鈥淪ocial inequalities, forms of slavery and exploitation, family poverty due to lack of work or poorly paid work are realities that need to be heard in our Church communities.鈥�

Renewal in solidarity and subsidiarity

杏MAP导航 Francis encouraged the Movement of Christian Workers to give voice to the voiceless and to worry 鈥渓ess about your enrolled members and more about being a leaven of justice and solidarity in society.鈥�

No one, he added, should feel excluded from work, including women and young people, who deserve dignified remuneration for their labours.

The 杏MAP导航 also pointed to the Social Doctrine of the Church as a source of renewal.

鈥淭he principles of solidarity and subsidiarity, properly understood, are the basis of a society that includes everyone, discards no one and fosters participation,鈥� he said. 鈥淲ithout subsidiarity there is no true solidarity, because we run the risk of not giving voice to people鈥檚 abilities and talents.鈥�

Inspired by St. Joseph

In conclusion, 杏MAP导航 Francis invited the Movement of Christian Workers never to let their hope be dimmed as they seek to promote reconciliation and fraternity.

鈥淢ay St. Joseph always inspire you to work with faith and passion.鈥�

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