„Caritas Christi urget nos” (2 Kor 5, 14) – duchowość Caritas

Abstract

Caritas of Elk Diocese celebrates the 25th anniversary of its activity. From the beginning it helps in a material and spiritual way to the poor and to those who are in need. Caritas runs many specialist units. Caritas takes care of the development of Caritas units in schools and in parishes in its diocese. Spirituality biased on faith is what distinguish Caritas from other nongovernmental organizations that bring help to different social groups like: poor, sick, elderly, orphans, homeless, unemployed and socially excluded because of their poverty. The main motive for Caritas’ activities is servant to the poor people in the same way we would do it to the Christ. Reference to the Christ, imitation of Christ’s example, his respect for poor people and to the spirit of solidarity and brotherhood with poor are the main points of reference in spiritual formation of Caritas’ employees and volunteers. Caritas of Elk Diocese takes care of ecclesial identity in its works of mercy. Caritas takes care not only of material and spiritual forms of help but also about christian character of its activities. This article talks about basic spirituality of Caritas, mainly the need of religious and moral formation of employees and volunteers who works for Caritas in Elk. In reference to the latest states of popes it was shown the evangelic sources of Caritas’ spirituality, moral imperative of the responsibility for poor and attributes of the church’s charitable activity such as: unselfishness, respect for the human’s dignity and its rights, gratefulness and solidarity.