Like every year, Cáritas Argentina launched its traditional Christmas campaign to accompany those living in vulnerable situations. This year’s motto is “This Christmas we continue to organize Hope”. Its president, Monsignor Gustavo Carraraemphasized that this task requires accompanying processes, not replacing them, and helping every person to stand up and be a protagonist in their life and their story, but also in their community.
Organizing Hope also means helping those who have stood up to share their testimony and encouragement with others, so that everyone feels invited to participate without exclusion. And in these transformation processes, even the most vulnerable can regain hope and recognize themselves as members of a larger family that includes them all.
On the occasion of World Day of the Pooron November 16 last year, when the Pope pointed to the structural causes of poverty Leo XIV He pointed out that while these are waiting to be eliminated, “we are all called to create new signs of hope that bear witness to Christian charity.” It is not for nothing that the Pope emphasized that the poor are “not a distraction for the Church, but the dearest brothers and sisters.”
The valuable effect of Caritas Argentinawhich spreads indiscriminately among our compatriots, needs everyone’s effort. The more than 40,000 volunteers and 3,500 work teams across the country are not enough.
The food security program, in collaboration with other institutions, reaches more than 2,200 soup kitchens and picnic sites and provides meals and snacks to 500,000 people. Cáritas also promotes school inclusion and the development of people for their transformation, and also cares for early childhood in vulnerable communities. Its social and solidarity economy program trains and promotes productive ventures and promotes access to supported self-construction of houses. It also deals with prevention and support for problematic substance use. The list of everything they do is just as long as the list of what they need.
This is what the Christmas spirit is all about: coming forward to share the joy of a new beginning. Looking up is the key. If we can only embrace ourselves, many will stay outside. And we will have missed the joy of recognizing ourselves as generous and helpful.
If we cannot be agents of transformation ourselves, let us approach it with our help so that others can be.
Promoting dignity and providing opportunities for social inclusion for those in serious situations of fragility means understanding that no one is saved alone. Let’s join in (https://caritas.org.ar/sumate) and hope to be reborn in many more homes this Christmas.
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