and hungry.
Today’s feast celebrates the life of St Elizabeth of Hungry. Born as the daughter of the Hungarian King in the early 13th century, she married into German Royalty at the age of 14 but was widowed at 20. Despite her noble beginnings, Elizabeth chose humility and a life of prayer, sacrifice and service to the poor over one of comfort and luxury. She spent her money on food and goods for the needy, and built a hospital in honour of St Francis of Assisi to care for the sick. She died at the early age of 24. Elizabeth has since become the patroness of Catholic charities and of the Secular Franciscan Order.
Elizabeth’s example highlights for us a responsibility, as Christians, to care for the poor and vulnerable around us. As Mark’s Gospel teaches us:
“As you did it to one of these, the least of my brothers, you did it to me”
Mt 25:40
This responsibility towards the poor and vulnerable is one of several moral principles or guidelines for action which have been elaborated and refined through the tradition of the Church’s Catholic Social Teachings. These teachings are a rich treasure of wisdom about building a just society and living lives of radical holiness amidst the challenges of modern society.
The Church has a long tradition of caring for the poor and vulnerable through corporal and spiritual works of Mercy. In fact, the Catholic Church is the largest non-governmental provider of education and medical services in the world.
The Church’s love for the poor … is a part of her constant tradition.” This love is inspired by the Gospel of the Beatitudes, of the poverty of Jesus, and of his concern for the poor. “Those who are oppressed by poverty are the object of a preferential love on the part of the Church which, since her origin and in spite of the failings of many of her members, has not ceased to work for their relief, defense, and liberation.
Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 2444, 2448
Sadly, even living in a first world country such as Australia, poverty still exists in our communities both materially and spiritually. The epidemic of loneliness cultivated by an individualistic mentality leads many feeling on the cusp of society, forgotten or neglected. The COVID pandemic has highlighted deficiencies in our provision of care of the aged and dying and the economic costs of business closures and job losses is still to be felt in its full measure. We are therefore faced with no end of opportunities to care for those suffering around us.
Caring for the poor and vulnerable offers essential dignity and Christian hope to the other. Pope Benedict XVI, in Deus Caritas Est (“God is Love”) said, “within the community of believers there can never be room for a poverty that denies anyone what is needed for a dignified life.”
Not all of us are required to give away our riches as Elizabeth did, but there are simple ways to offer something of ourselves for those in need around us.
As we approach the beginning of Advent, it is an opportune time to turn our thoughts and actions to the care of the poor and vulnerable. Having an outward disposition towards other’s needs can help us to cultivate opportunities to be of service to others. Keeping it simple helps us not be overwhelmed by the prospect but carry out tasks more readily such as donating to a charity Christmas hamper, stopping to talk to a homeless person, or offering time to visit an elderly neighbour.
Finally, we can also pray to the Holy Spirit for opportunities for inspiration and the courage to act. Let us go forth and serve!
~Anne-Maree Quinn
Anne-Maree Quinn is a graduate of the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family Melbourne Campus with a Masters in Bioethics. She also has Pontifical Licentiate in Moral Philosophy from Milltown Institute in Ireland.
Anne-Maree currently works as an Occupational Therapist in Melbourne.