SAINTS in the apostolic exhortation Dilexi Te: On Love for the Poor
(a
specific study guide)
This is the first major “publication” by Pope Leo XIV,
but it is really the final one by Pope Francis, which he was working on at the
time of his death. In it, concern for the poor is presented with a Scriptural
basis, especially with Jesus, the poor Messiah, and with a history of Church
teaching and action on behalf of the poor. This list or study guide is provided
for those with a particular interest in hagiography and religious orders.
Begins with
St. Francis of Assisi -papal namesake
In the section “A
CHURCH FOR THE POOR,” various historical saints are mentioned by name:
St. Paul
diakonia & St. Stephen
St. Lawrence, according to St.
Ambrose
Fathers of the Church
St.
Ignatius of Antioch
St.
Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna
St.
Justin
St. John Chrysostom
St. Augustine (and St. Ambrose)
care of the sick
St.
Cyprian
St.
John of God & Hospitallers
St.
Camillus de Lellis & Camillians
women’s
orders: Vincentian Daughters of Charity, Hospital Sisters, and
Little Sisters of Divine Providence,
and many others
St. Louise de Marillac
care of the poor in monastic life
St.
Basil the Great
St.
Benedict of Nursia
St.
John Cassian
St.
Bernard of Clairvaux & Cistercians
freeing prisoners
Trinitarians
& St. John of Malta and St. Felix of Valois
Mercedarians
& St. Peter Nolasco
Dominican
St. Raymond of Peñafort
witnesses of evangelical poverty
mendicant
orders: Franciscan, Dominican, Augustinians, Carmelites
St.
Francis of Assisi
St.
Clare of Assisi
St.
Dominic de Guzmán
education of the poor
St.
Joseph Calsanz & Piarists
St.
John Baptist de LaSalle & Christian Brothers
St.
Marcellin Champagnat & Marists
St.
John Bosco & Salesians
Blessed
Antonio Rosmini
female
congregations: Ursulines, Sisters of the Company of Mary Our Lady,
the Maestre Pie, and many
others
accompanying migrants
St.
John Baptist Scalabrini & Missionaries of St. Charles
St.
Frances Xavier Cabrini, “Patroness of All Migrants”
at the side of the least among us
St.
Teresa of Calcutta & Missionaries of Charity
St.
Dulce of the Poor
St.
Benedict Menni, OH, and Hospitaller Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
St.
Charles de Foucauld
St. Katherine Drexel
Sister Emmanuelle of Cairo
This is followed by a section
entitled “A History That Continues,” which outlines the Church’s Social
Doctrine and recent papal teachings on this matter (Leo XIII, St. John XXIII,
St. Paul VI, St. John Paul II, Benedict XVI, & Francis), as well various
episcopal conferences, with special mention of St. Oscar Romero.
