Accompanying the Poor by Keith Branson , c . pp . s ., Precious Blood Resource Service Planning Committee
A cholera epidemic ravaged Italy in the mid-1830s , causing widespread death and disruption : in the fall of 1837 , it reached Rome . Gaspar del Bufalo was staying at Sonnino , in poor health , but busy guiding his community both in organizing missions and social assistance to epidemic victims as best he could . A call came for him to return to Rome , and in October he was there , visiting hospitals and the sick ; others made a line at his apartment for confession and other aid . Gaspar had been a tireless worker for the poor in Rome since his early 20s : as a seminarian he had been appointed president of Santa Galla Hospice , and he was an excellent fundraiser as well as chaplain . One of his biographers said that on this journey to Rome he saw none of the Curia , avoided the hierarchy of the Church , and devoted all his time to making himself available to the poor .
There are many programs available to help the poor in our time . However , as Denise Murrow shared with some of us , there is little cross communication between services , and at times is seems the system makes the process difficult in hopes people will abandon their quest and funds set aside to help them go unused . Very few people walk with aid applicants through the process , and the need is much greater than the help available . At her urging , some Companions , province staff , and incorporated members have been meeting over the past couple of months to develop a Precious Blood Resource Services , where people can come to find out which public and private programs exist that can help them , and get ongoing support as they travel through the system . No other group or agency is especially dedicated to this one service , although a few offer this as part of a larger group of services .
It will be an excellent opportunity for Companions and incorporated members to work side by side , accompanying the poor as Gaspar did and Pope Francis calls us to do today . It is hoped we can set up a pilot program this fall , and eventually operate centers in other places where the Precious Blood community exists . It is a ministry that won ’ t require physical strength or agility — someone in a wheelchair could do it . The work would take average intelligence , patience , and an openness to learn . There will be some training involved as well as ongoing education . However , it may be a chance for us to help people get the assistance they are entitled to and only ask us to commit a few hours every week . It will also be a chance to expand on our Corporate Statements of solidarity and the work of the Peace and Justice Committee by putting words into action , and ourselves in direct contact with those who need our help . We would have a chance to walk with the poor one to one .
Pope Francis started calling us to walk with the poor almost from the beginning of his pontificate . The need today is great and it may become greater . Companions have explored ways to work together in the past , and incorporated members have been talking about which directions our future ministry will go . As we read the signs of the times , it is time to find more ways we can be faithful to Christ ’ s call for us to love one another and reach out to those in need . Perhaps this will be a way we can work together to bring forth the Kingdom of God .
March 2017 • The New Wine Press • 9