Sr. Valérie Kaboré on mission in Algeria
“While part of the world is condemned to live in the depths of history, while inequalities increase and the economy punishes the weakest, while society is dedicated to the idolatry of money and consumption, the poor and the marginalized often have no choice but to continue to wait (cf. Evangelii Gaudium, n. 54).
… It is us whom his grace makes shine; it is our life, imbued with compassion and charity, which must become a sign of the Lord’s presence, always close to the suffering of the poor, to soothe their wounds and transform their destiny.”
Link to the PDF https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2024/documents/20241117-omelia-giornatamondiale-poveri.html
I feel very inspired by this quotation from Pope Francis. He recalled these words recently, on 17 November, during the World Day of the Poor. Several events and celebrations that we have experienced in these days can be linked to this affirmation.
We began the month of November with the inauguration of the bicentenary year of Cardinal Lavigerie. During the novena, I was struck by our Founder’s sensitivity and commitment to the poor. His great heart and compassion were expressed in his actions in favour of the weakest. I particularly remember the sixth day. He told us:
“When I speak of charity, I am not only speaking of the charity of almsgiving, I am speaking of the charity that knows how to suffer, to sacrifice itself, to sacrifice itself if necessary, and which, through this spectacle, finally compels the most hardened to say: these are truly the disciples of God”.
Commitment to the poorest of the poor is probably at the heart of the charism of Lavigerie and marks our various commitments like an indelible ink. Today in Algiers, it is visible in the way we welcome and listen to the people who are guests in our house or in the various apostolates.
I discover the resilience of the people and the mutual help that exists in many families. In the service of supporting people who are losing their autonomy in terms of health, as well as their families, the experience is one of giving and receiving. By giving one’s time, energy and presence, one receives in return the happiness of having given oneself and of living the joy of the Gospel.
Being a witness of love freely given and a sign of hope
As a witness of love freely given and as a sign of hope through visits to some of the families around us, we enter into the heart of social realities that call for empathy and commitment…
How to deal with a person with a serious chronic illness who has no medication? How to be in a family torn by deep conflicts? What to do with a person suffering from dementia who is in crisis? The invitation is simply to be present and to intercede.
It also becomes a reality in the presence of people in prison, to be a link between them and their families. There it is a question of being a witness of love freely given and a sign of hope.
For the elderly, poverty is often a sign of loneliness and disorientation in a world where everything seems to move very fast. They appreciate the visits, the opportunities for meetings and friendly exchanges on various themes, films or solidarity actions. This is expressed in the café for the elderly, the literary and cultural café, the sharing of the Eucharist with the residents of the home for elderly priests and consecrated persons…
Welcoming the poor calls on our deep humanity, our vulnerability. Let us ask the Lord to pour into us the spirit of poverty.
Here is a gallery of photos of our sisters with the most vulnerable
