Yesterday, August 25, 2021, Pope Francis sent a video message to the volunteers of all Caritas organizations in Argentina, on the occasion of the “2021 Walk,” an initiative held every three years. In the Message, the Holy Father talks about the “experience of our going forth, of listening to one another and of discerning how to love and serve more concretely in keeping with the times and the circumstances, and, especially, seeing the signs of the times and of places.”

Community Stage

As the promoters of the experience reported, presented virtually on Wednesday, August 25 was the Community Stage of the Walk throughout the country. “Added to the pilgrimage of images is a time of encounters and brief conversations in community. It will be a short time, no longer than 10 minutes, in which we will be able to feel together at a distance. We expect special participation from Rome.”

The message was published on Facebook and Caritas-Argentina’s YouTube channel. The video can be watched here: www.youtube.com/user/caritasARGoficial

Caritas-Argentina

 The organization defines itself within the Catholic Church with the objective to “give an answer to the social problems stemming from poverty.” It boasts 32,000 volunteers in 3,500 working teams throughout Argentina. Among its activities is to accompany individuals, families, and communities that are excluded and vulnerable, offering them concrete tools and spiritual help.

Its charity “consists in giving answers to the minimal needs or emergency situations of the poorest communities.” Caritas explains that the challenge “is not only to feed and clothe but to accompany families” and be a means to “listen, contain, organize and plan tasks that stimulate human promotion.”

It engages in human promotion to “modify, improve and encourage changes to improve the conditions of life of the poorest,” and attempts to “include the people in the search for solutions to their problems.” Finally, it fosters a transforming charity, by promoting “reflection and formation of the social conscience, accompanying actions” that will enable people to pass from being inhabitants to citizens.”

Translation by Virginia M. Forrester