Born in 1852 to nobility, Carolina made her First Communion at age eight and received a good education. In her late teens she became the target for offers of marriage but began to feel a call to religious life. At age 21, she began to lead the Daughters of Mary in the parish of San Antonio Abate in Palermo. As the call to religious life became stronger, she became torn between the contemplative cloister and working with the sick, poor, disabled and abandoned. Hoping to combine the two, she became a Franciscan tertiary, taking the name Sister Maria di Gesù . Her family strongly objected to her choice, especially when she and some like minded tertiaries began going door to door in poor neighborhoods, carrying a backpack of supplies, helping the sick and feeding the poor. Shortly before her death in 1923, Caroline founded the Capuchin Sisters of the Immaculate of Lourdes to continue her work.
Feed the Hungry, Give Drink to the Thirsty
The Corporal Works of Mercy are acts of kindness and charity aimed at providing the
necessities of life. Over the next few weeks, we’ll take a closer look at each of the seven and
begin with Feed the Hungry and Give Drink to the Thirsty.
Perhaps you recall the parable of the Sheep and the Goats in Matthew 25. The story teaches us the
importance of providing food and drink to those in need by reminding us that when we do these things to
others we are, in fact, also doing them to Jesus!
In the Old Testament, Isaiah 58:7 also speaks to this. He warns the people of his day against worship and
sacrifice that is only for show and proclaims that the sacrifice God wants is kindness shown to others.
But, you say, “I don’t know anyone who is hungry or thirsty! ”That’s likely true, but you know that they exist
and live here in our area. Fortunately, there are ministries that help them and so by helping these ministries,
you are feeding the hungry.
Here are a few ways you can help…
Seek Conference
· We have bins in the narthex to collect food for our pantry. Could you pick up a few BOGO items at
the store each week and bring them to Mass?
· Our monthly Local Outreach collection supports the pantry, so financial gifts are an option.
· May be best of all, volunteer at the pantry on Wednesday mornings
