Solidarity in the Service of Justice and Peace
“What counts is not what you give, but the love with which you give.” – Mother Teresa
Every September 5, the International Day of Charity reminds us of the power of solidarity to fight poverty, support people in vulnerable situations, and help build more just and peaceful societies.
Charity takes many forms: volunteering, philanthropy, mutual aid, support, or giving oneself. Beyond providing immediate assistance, it helps create connections, strengthen communities and, as the United Nations (UN) emphasizes, “spread the message of humanity in conflict situations.”
Poverty: An Ongoing Challenge
Despite the progress made over the decades, fighting poverty remains one of the world’s greatest challenges. Eradicating poverty in all its forms is, in fact, the first of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Poverty is about more than a lack of income. It also takes the form of hunger, malnutrition, limited access to education and essential services, discrimination, exclusion, and the inability to participate fully in decisions that shape one’s own life.
Humanitarian crises, conflicts, and climate-related disruptions further deepen these inequalities and remind us of the importance of solidarity combined with lasting action for social justice.
Why September 5?
Established by the UN, the International Day of Charity is observed on September 5 in honour of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who died on this date in 1997. Founder of the Missionaries of Charity in 1950 and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, she devoted much of her life to people experiencing poverty and hardship.
In establishing this day, the UN sought to recognize her commitment to addressing realities that also represent “a threat to peace.”
An Invitation to Solidarity That Reflects SNJM Values
This day echoes the values upheld by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) and their commitment to justice, human dignity, and peace.
It also reminds us that generosity does not replace the need to understand and address the root causes of poverty and exclusion. Helping, accompanying others, educating, defending rights, and promoting greater equity are all ways of putting solidarity into action.
On this International Day of Charity, every gesture matters as we work toward a society where no one is left behind.
