Preferential love of the poor

Jesus identified Himself with the poor and voiceless and worked to promote human dignity and freedom. This love of preference for the poor and the decisions which it inspires in us cannot but embrace the immense multitude of the hungry, the needy, the homeless, those without medical care and above all, those without hope of a better future. (Ecc. In Asia P. 100)
JMJ’s in Social Apostolate: JMJ’s are identified with social apostolate right from the inception of the Society. The Charism, An ever Adaptable Apostolic Availability, Bequeathed to the JMJ’s by their Founder, Fr. Mathias Wolff S.J., opened new vitas for them to launch out to the social apostolate as per the signs of the times. No doubt, if we review the social apostolate as was practiced at the start of the Society, it is very different from what it is today. However, one thing is clear the target group is always the poor, needy oppressed, voiceless and marginalized and social activities are aimed at their liberation from bondage of sin and evil, unjust structures, exploitation and atrocities. Therefore, bringing awareness to the rich and the socially well–to-do, of their responsibility to share and reach out to those in need, went side in side. JMJ’s can proudly say that the social apostolate is carried on in different ways in all the JMJ communities together with other major apostolate like Education and Health Care;
➤ Financing the Education of poor children.
➤ Adoption of villages for different types of developments.
➤ Reaching out for literacy programmes like adult education, medical care, hygiene, etc.
➤ Organizing classes for school drop outs poor students
➤ Helping to find jobs, to get seats for studies, etc.
➤ Bringing together broken families.
➤ Providing seats in our schools, colleges and employing the poor in our institutions
➤ Conducting awareness programmes for healthy and happy family life.
➤ Rendering financial help for house construction of the employees and for marriages, sickness and hospitalization, death, funeral, etc.
➤ Different types of developmental programmes in the nearby villages, also by helping to tap the resources from the government for development –roads, water, and electricity.
➤ Different types of services for the lepers, leper Colonies for their medical care, rehabilitation, self-help projects, market for their products, findings jobs for them in the human society and many such.
➤ Distribution of food, clothes, etc. for slum dwellers occasionally.
➤ Visiting the slums and rendering different types of activities to improve their conditions.
➤ These and many more services are rendered in a way possible, by the communities.