1998 General Chapter

                                   Option for the Poor

The 'option for the poor" has become an essential element of the Church's teaching.  In Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, Centessimus Annus, Tertio Millenio Adveniente, and most recently in Vita Consecrata, Pope John Paul II boldly called the whole Church, and especially religious, to a conversion in order to live this option in fidelity to the Gospel: "All of Christ's disciples are held to this option, but those who wish to follow the Lord more closely, imitating His attitudes, cannot but feel involved in a special way" (VC, 82).  Together with the whole Church, we in Holy Cross recognize this as the core element of our discipleship.

In Christ we see that the option for the poor is a privileged and essential way of proclaiming the Good News of God's reign.  "Serving the poor is an act of evangelization and at the same time a seal of Gospel authenticity and a catalyst for permanent conversion in the consecrated life"  (VC, 82).  There can be no experience of God that does not draw us into a deeper love of and commitment to the poor and suffering.  This criteria is the test of our fidelity to Christ and his mission.  Whether we are serving soup at the shelter or struggling with economic or political structures to b ring about systematic change, as Holy Cross religious we have a no more precious and liberating gift to offer the poor than the Good News of the Gospel and our efforts as educators in the faith (cf. VC, 97).

Before all else, the option for the poor is a way of speaking about God, and a way of witnessing to the God of Jesus Christ whose unfailing love for all is manifest in His preferential love for the poor and rejected of society.  The ongoing reflection  of the Church's magisterium has clearly established that this option refers to those who are excluded from a just share in the goods of the earth and the possibility of having a say in their use, and from being agents of their own destiny.

This option necessarily has political and social implications.  It seeks the liberation of the poor and calls for concrete expressions of solidarity with them.  In the world engulfed in a tide of materialism and greed where economic and political structures oppress, those who announce the Good News to the poor must work not only to change hearts but to also reform structures.  A privileged expression of this option will always be direct commitment and ministry to the poor,  living with them, sharing their lot, seeing reality from their perspective, making their cause our own.  Our faith in God and communion with those who are excluded leads them to discover their worth and dignity in God's eyes and frees them to discover their potential as agents of their own human and social development.  We work at the side of the poor in their efforts to organize to defend their rights and find solutions for their problems.  In a mysterious way, this option also allows us to be evangelized by them.

The preferential option for the poor is neither exclusive nor excluding.  It does not mean abandoning ministry to other groups in society but calls for the integration of this perspective allowing it to inform our every effort in faith.  No ministry in Holy Cross can allow itself to remain untouched by the plight of the impoverished.  While some might provide direct service, others may raise the consciousness of those more fortunate making them aware of their responsibility as Christians and as human beings to make this option for the poor their own.

As the number of Holy Cross religious diminished in certain areas of the world in the near future, we must remain steadfast in our commitment.  The Chapter urges every province, district and individual to continue exploring creative ways by which we might announce good news to the poor and freedom to those held captive.