What does love for the poor have to do with Christian initiation? According to Pope Leo XIV, everything!
As catechumenate ministers, we are always concerned with handing on the faith, dogmas, and precepts of our Catholic tradition. But if we are not teaching that love for the poor is at the heart and center of the faith we profess, we are not giving our seekers the fullness of our faith. In his first letter to the church, Dilexi te, Pope Leo says, “Love for the Lord is one with love for the poor” (5).
In this short video, Diana gives you some ways to understand why care for the poor is essential for the catechumens’ formation and ability to give authentic worship and how to help them encounter Christ in those most in need.
What are your thoughts?
I’d love to know how this video is helping you. Can you share a word or a phrase about how it resonates with you? Does it speak to your experience? Or challenge you some way? What are other ways you help your catechumens and candidates learn the Church’s teaching on love for the poor? Share your thoughts in the comments box below. Thanks for being part of the conversion!
Join the next free webinar!
Where seekers meet Christ: Teaching our faith by touching the poor
Wednesday, November 13, 2025
Free Online Training for Catechumenate Teams
Where seekers meet Christ: Teaching our faith by touching the poor
Free Online Training for Catechumenate Teams
Wednesday, November 13, 2025
11am PDT / 2pm EDT
It is a perfect segue into Advent, the season of giving—an ideal time to teach them about the tradition of social justice and its transformational history of modeling Christ through the societal changes necessary to living in a healthy society. After all, isn’t faith about living in the right relationship with God and with one another?
Good observation and insight, Cynthia! Thank you for sharing it.