Spend Christmas differently: what if you spent New Year's Eve with the homeless?


Because the Christmas period symbolizes for the most part the family friendliness and abundance, it is particularly difficult for the poor. Isolated, without resources and without housing. As Pope Francis points out in his message on 13 June 2017 for the first World Day of Poverty, it is through concrete actions that we must "make the poor feel the warmth of love that breaks the circle of loneliness." Listening, sharing a friendly moment, exchanging around the Christmas meal can be an authentic act of love and solidarity essential not only for the frail, but also for those who dedicate time to them as volunteers.
Many associations throughout France organize Christmas meals with the poorest people. It is not too late to make your contribution. Among them is the Sant'Egidio community or the Little Brothers of the Poor:

1. WITH THE COMMUNAUNT SANT'EGIDIO
The Christmas meal with the needy is a tradition of the Sant'Egidio community. In 1982, a small group of poor people was welcomed around the table on 25 December in the Basilica of St. Mary of Transtevere in Rome. Among the twenty or so guests that evening, there were several lonely and elderly people from the neighbourhood, the others of the homeless-fixed met in the streets of Rome.

Thirty-five years have passed since that first meal. Year after year, the table has expanded considerably, with the initiative spreading to the many countries where the community is present. In 2017, no less than 240,000 meals were served in 78 countries. In Paris this year, the Christmas meal will be held on December 23 at 6:30 p.m. in the Church of St. Hippolyte in the 13th arrondissement.

2. WITH THE PETITS FREE
For 70 years, the Little Brothers of the Poor have been organising a Christmas meal: In 2018, 17,000 poor and elderly people have benefited from a "Christmas action". For Constance, 28 years old "giving a little of his free time to give it to others is great. Celebrating Christmas together means being in a big family," she tells Aleteia. François, another 32-year-old volunteer, points out the richness of the exchange: "Of course we share a meal but also small stories, great discussions, laughter, dances... like a family Christmas dinner." For both living the Nativity "brings a joy and a deep spiritual dimension."

To volunteer, just one click here is all it takes.

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