Charity and love… the heart of the Sisters of Providence
The United Nations General Assembly met in 2012 to establish the 5th of September as the International Day of Charity. In doing so, the UN was inviting all the States Members, other UN agencies and any other international and local organizations to celebrate this day by encouraging acts of charity, notably through different educational and awareness-building activities.
The International Day of Charity was founded to raise awareness and to mobilize individuals, non-governmental organizations, and other actors, to assist people by volunteering and committing to philanthropic activities. By choosing this specific date, the UN was commemorating the anniversary of the death of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for “her work to overcome poverty and misery, which are both a threat to peace.” For more than 45 years, she cared for the poor, the sick, the orphans and the dying, notably by opening homes and shelters for the poor and the homeless.
Mother Teresa and Émilie Tavenier-Gamelin are two exceptional and emblematic examples of Christian charity. Their charity is widely recognized. Charity refers to concepts like volunteerism, philanthropy, and selflessness, while helping to establish social ties. It fosters more resilient and inclusive societies and spreads a human message amid conflict. Mother Teresa said, ” It is not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” For her, charity was the virtue through which we love God above everything else and we love others as ourselves. Therefore, charity is above all love: love for others, for those close to us, and even for those who are not close, but who have need of our help and our love, a love that must be unrestricted and sincere, offered and lived in the name of Jesus, with a smile, and an unburdened heart full of happiness. Charity is being welcoming and available, being willing to set aside time and energy for others, giving up what we cherish to do and possess to serve others, the poor and those in need, guided by a higher sense of justice and a thirst for what is right, good, and fair.
For us, Sisters of Providence, once known as Sisters of Charity, Servants of the Poor, this date is important because charity is the cornerstone of our Institute. It was a virtue dear to our foundress, Émilie Tavernier-Gamelin, known as the Great Lady of Montreal, whose last words contain her legacy to us: “Humility, simplicity, charity, above all, charity.” Without charity, our actions for the poorest would not exist. With charity we can share our Charism and our values of solidarity, compassion, and dignity for everyone.
On this International Day of Charity, may we as the Providence family (Sisters and Providence Associates) practice our charity in creative ways for the benefit of the most deprived persons. As we mark this day, we thank all the Sisters of Providence, the Providence Associates and benefactors who have shown and continue to show charity to those who are suffering in our world.
Lastly, I want to share with you these inspiring words: “Have great charity and much kindness towards others.” (Émilie Tavernier-Gamelin); and “Every act of love for the poor and the unwelcomed is important to Jesus, no matter how small the act is.” Mother Teresa.
Sister Hortense Demia, Mbaïlaou, SP.