Lent 2014 – College Charity: Papal Almonry

Posted on 21. Mar, 2014 in Carousel

This year, the Irish College seminarians have decided to dedicate the College’s Lenten charity to the work of the Papal Almoner, the Elemosiniere, Archbishop Konrad Kajewski. This will be a chance to contribute directly to Pope Francis’s outreach to the poor. There will be collection boxes in the loggia, and so it will be possible for all who come to 10am Mass on Sundays to make a contribution.

‘Each individual Christian and every community is called to be an instrument of God for the liberation and promotion of the poor, and for enabling them to be fully a part of society. This demands that we be docile and attentive to the cry of the poor and to come to their aid. A mere glance at the Scriptures is enough to make us see how our gracious Father wants to hear the cry of the poor: “I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them… so I will send you…” (Ex 3:7-8, 10). We also see how he is concerned for their needs: “When the Israelites cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up for them a deliverer” (Jg 3:15). If we, who are God’s means of hearing the poor, turn deaf ears to this plea, we oppose the Father’s will and his plan; that poor person “might cry to the Lord against you, and you would incur guilt” (Dt 15:9). A lack of solidarity towards his or her needs will directly affect our relationship with God: “For if in bitterness of soul he calls down a curse upon you, his Creator will hear his prayer” (Sir 4:6). The old question always returns: “How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods, and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?” (1 Jn 3:17). Let us recall also how bluntly the apostle James speaks of the cry of the oppressed: “The wages of the labourers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts” (5:4).’

– Pope Francis, Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii gaudium, paragraph 187

 Thanks to all who contributed to this collection. The total amount collected was €2,360.89.

The Irish College charity officer for 2013-14 meeting with Archbishop Konrad Krajewski, the Papal Almoner, to present him with the proceeds of the Irish College Lenten charity campaign for 2014.