The Virtue of Solidarity for Moms

Anne DeSantis examines three ways mothers can foster the appreciation of justice, peace, and the common good in their children.

The virtue of solidarity is one that is not spoken of very often within our Catholic faith. Solidarity, according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, is the virtue of love for the common good and of justice and peace:

The virtue of solidarity goes beyond material goods. In spreading the spiritual goods of the faith, the Church has promoted, and often opened new paths for the development of temporal goods as well.

Society ensures social justice by providing the conditions that allow associations and individuals to obtain their due. (CCC 1942, 1943)

Social justice is something global, but it is also one that is personal and affects every unit of society and its peoples. As mothers and women of faith, we can teach our children the significance of exercising solidarity and justice in daily life.

Here are a few ways we can instill this virtue in family life:

Teach children what solidarity means

When our kids are taught at an early age the definition of each of the virtues of our faith, they usually will recall those teachings later in life. This happens when we take the time to present the faith in a practical way and by not making these learning opportunities too academic to begin with. Children learn by example. When the faith is taught and practiced tangibly, younger people tend to remember those values. Solidarity is concerned with justice and peace in the world and in remembering the poor in all that we do.

Help those in need

As Catholics, helping those in need should not be an option; it is a gift from God when we understand that being part of the Universal Church is a deep responsibility. Social justice calls us to care for all of God’s people, both in big and smaller but no less important ways. Families can foster care and justice by giving to the poor, helping at a soup kitchen, or becoming active in ministry in some form. In a more fundamental way, families can be kind and giving to those within neighborhoods, communities, and parishes in making sure the basic needs of the poor are met.

Fostering good relationships

Not everyone is a “people person.” Some people are naturally quiet and reserved, and it may be challenging to foster new relationships with people with whom we are not familiar. Living out good relationships is a way to live out solidarity in a greater capacity. Learning to befriend those people who are not familiar or those for whom we are not drawn to speak to takes time, but it helps to develop better human relationships overall. When children are instructed at a younger age to be less self-centered and more aware of other people in a broad sense, solidarity can be taught and modeled.

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As mothers and women of faith, we can teach our children the significance of exercising solidarity and justice in daily life. #CatholicMom

Above are ways to live out justice, peace, and solidarity in family life. Mothers can pray for, instruct, and live out the valuable virtue of solidarity so that children and families see it as something precious to practice daily. Pray that your family can learn more about the virtues in order to become missionary disciples for Christ. In solidarity and in love, your family will go forward to bring God’s love to the world.

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