"First, it will generally be found true that those who boast of their success in terms of money hardly ever help the poor. It is not that they are not generous, but that they are generous only to the rich. The haves are helped by those who have; it is the have-nots who help the [...]
"Every perfection and every virtue proceeds from charity. Charity is nourished by humility. And humility comes from knowledge and holy hatred of oneself, that is, of one’s selfish sensuality. To attain charity you must dwell constantly in the cell of self-knowledge." Source: St. Catherine of Siena, The Dialogue, Paulist Press, 1980 The Dialogue was [...]
"The eucharistic mystery thus gives rise to a service of charity towards neighbour, which 'consists in the very fact that, in God and with God, I love even the person whom I do not like or even know. This can only take place on the basis of an intimate encounter with God, an encounter which [...]
"The inexhaustible richness of this sacrament is expressed in the different names we give it. Each name evokes certain aspects of it. It is called: The Eucharistic assembly (synaxis), because the Eucharist is celebrated amid the assembly of the faithful, the visible expression of the Church." Source: Catechism of the Catholic Church #1397 [...]
"Charity, furthermore, cannot be used as a means of engaging in what is nowadays considered proselytism. Love is free; it is not practiced as a way of achieving other ends. But this does not mean that charitable activity must somehow leave God and Christ aside. For it is always concerned with the whole man. Often [...]
"Part of Marxist strategy is the theory of impoverishment: in a situation of unjust power, it is claimed, anyone who engages in charitable initiatives is actually serving that unjust system, making it appear at least to some extent tolerable. This in turn slows down a potential revolution and thus blocks the struggle for a better [...]
"Christian charitable activity must be independent of parties and ideologies. " Source: Pope Benedict XVI, God is Love: Deus Caritas Est, Ignatius Press, 2006.
"For this sin of ultimate despair is much more displeasing to me and harmful to them than all the other evils they have committed. And this is why: Other sins are committed with some selfish sensual pleasure, and sometimes they are regretted, and they can be regretted in such a way that the regret will [...]
"Individuals who care for those in need must first be professionally competent: they should be properly trained in what to do and how to do it, and committed to continuing care. Yet, while professional competence is a primary, fundamental requirement, it is not of itself sufficient. We are dealing with human beings, and human beings [...]
"Consequently, in addition to their necessary professional training, these charity workers need a 'formation of the heart': they need to be led to that encounter with God in Christ which awakens their love and opens their spirits to others. As a result, love of neighbor will no longer be for them a commandment imposed, so [...]