Charity, one of the three pillars of Lent, goes beyond simply giving to those in need—it’s a powerful expression of solidarity and compassion that invites us to recognize the dignity of every human being and respond to economic injustice with intentional generosity.
Pope Francis frequently reminds us that at the heart of our shared humanity lies the call to economic justice. This is not just a lofty ideal but a tangible challenge—a way in which we stand in solidarity with the poorest and most vulnerable in our society. Through initiatives like The Economy of Francesco and his stance against unjust systems found in Evangelii Gaudium and Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis draws our attention to the glaring inequalities perpetuated by unbridled capitalism, greed, and systems that prioritize profit over people.
The Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd recognizes this call and integrates it into our mission. Grounded in our Position Paper on Economic Justice, we respond to the needs of those who are most excluded—women and girls trapped in poverty—in practical and life-changing ways. By offering access to education and teaching women and girls how to use and develop their skills, we’ve seen transformation ripple from individuals to families and entire communities.
A Call to Action
Economic justice is made real through every act of solidarity, big or small. But do not think that your simple act of charity this Lent is a response to our call to action for economic justice. Pope Francis says, “It is not enough to offer temporary assistance; we must work towards transformation.”
Economic justice is not about charity; it’s about giving each individual their due and creating systems that ‘serve people, rather than profits.’ It is a call to action for all of us, particularly in addressing the ways global poverty is systematically sustained.
This Lenten season – and beyond – support fair trade initiatives and ethical companies, changing your behavior to challenge the systems that perpetuate economic injustice.
