Dignity, Solidarity, and Belonging All are beloved children of God

The Basilica’s Commitment to Justice – Dignity, Solidarity, and Belonging

As Christians, our faith is rooted in Jesus Christ – who became incarnate so God might extend salvation to all. Our faith is radically inclusive – the Gospel narratives include Jesus’s outreach to all of humanity and manifest a special concern for those on the margins – the least, the last, and the lost. This ethic of special concern and care for those who are dispossessed and struggling can be clearly seen in the Hebrew Scriptures and flows over into the ministry of Jesus.

As Catholics – and as disciples of Jesus, we are called to follow his model of compassion and care for those in need. Pope Benedict XVI, in his encyclical, Deus Caritas Est, teaches that the ministry of charity and justice is an integral to the life of the Catholic Church as proclaiming the Gospel and celebrating the sacraments. Our commitment to justice and charity is not an add-on or dispensable, but rather constitutive of the Gospel. The Basilica of Saint Mary has long lived a culture of compassionate outreach to those in need and an open welcome to all who enter our doors, wherever they are on their journey of faith.

In a world that is often beset by injustice and exclusion, The Basilica stands as a countersign and a refuge. Our commitment to justice is rooted in the Gospel and in the principles of Catholic social teaching (CST). CST is a treasure of the Catholic faith but is often little known or understood within the Church. CST helps Catholics build a more just and humane society. That work must begin first within Catholic communities – communities committed to justice, compassionate care, and inclusion.

At the Basilica, the principles of dignity, solidarity, and belonging will guide our commitment to justice outreach, and our programming in the coming months and years ahead. These principles are Gospel-centered and rooted in Catholic social teaching. Dignity communicates that all people are made in the image and likeness of God and thus have an inherent and inviolable worth, which all are called to respect and cherish. Solidarity communicates that all human beings belong to one humanity, created by God, and thus Christians are called to live in compassionate solidarity with all – beyond border, creed, and race. Belonging communicates that all have a place at the table of the Lord, all are loved by God, all are given gifts for service, and all are welcomed as Christ. These principles are central to our commitment to work for justice in the Church, in our community, in our nation, and in our world.

Join us at The Basilica as we seek to live justice, walk with humility, and compassionately serve our sisters and brother in need. May you always know that you are deeply loved by God!