Pope tells Vinnies that prayer, social justice are inseparable

Pope Leo met a delegation from the Society of St Vincent de Paul of the United States of America on August 28. The Pope encouraged them to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ, so that he may guide their service to those most in need.

“St Vincent de Paul demonstrated that prayer and social justice are not merely complementary but in fact are inseparable,” Pope Leo recalled, inviting the saint’s spiritual children to follow his example.

Pope Leo pointed to St Augustine’s teaching that care for the poor is centred on Christ and that God will always be generous to those who serve them.

“We therefore believe that caring for others, when motivated by love, not only helps those in need, but also opens the heart of the giver to God’s grace,” he said.

The Pope then urged members of the Society of St Vincent de Paul to offer their time generously. By serving Christ in the poor, he said, God’s grace will “steadily purify your hearts and minds, and you will more readily recognise Christ in your neighbour, both in those you serve and in those with whom you work”.

In his address, Pope Leo thanked the group’s members for their devoted service to their brothers and sisters.

“By freely offering your God-given gifts and talents,” he said, “you give eloquent witness to your faith in service to the building up of the Kingdom of God.”

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Pope Leo: Prayer and social justice are inseparable (By Devin Watkins/Vatican News)