Scripture Readings

• First Reading: James 2:14-17

• Responsorial Psalm: Ps 112 (111):1-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7b-8, 9

• Alleluia Verse: John 13:34

• Gospel: Matt 25:31-40

Reflection on Today’s Feast

By Fr. Phil Florio, SJ

It was May 2000, my next-to-last semester of theology studies, prior to priestly ordination, and it was mid-autumn in the earth’s southern hemisphere. I had just arrived in South America to begin a semester of studies at Universidad Alberto Hurtado, the Jesuit University in Santiago, Chile.

I noticed it right away, how could I not? It was inescapable. In supermarkets, card shops, shoe stores, pharmacies, department stores, even dollar stores. Over the cash registers in these various places of business hung large circular posters depicting an ostensibly “old school” black and white photo of a young priest dressed in a simple black soutane and striking a hoe into the earth. Under this ubiquitous image was the caption “dar, dar hasta que te duele” translated from the Spanish (or Castellano as the Chileans prefer to call their language) as, “give, give until it hurts.” Instantly I recognized the image as that of Padre Alberto Cruchaga Hurtado, a legendary Jesuit priest affectionately known in Chile as the “father and friend of the poor.”

Alberto Hurtado was, and remains for me, the highest standard of what a “good” Jesuit should be. He was bright, having earned a Ph.D. from Louvain. He was audacious, having sponsored a weekly radio program and a monthly magazine, El Mensaje ("The Messenger" -- still in circulation), with which to address and challenge issues of poverty, injustice, and inequality. Alberto Hurtado was hardworking, having administered the sacraments daily, often going to the inner city where few priests dared to travel, while simultaneously teaching law at “la Catolica,” the prestigious Catholic University of Chile. Most importantly, Padre Hurtado was deeply spiritual, having led retreats and administered the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius Loyola to hundreds of souls. He was a genuine man of the Exercises and a true son of Saint Ignatius!

In response to the abject poverty that some Chileans faced at that time, Padre Hurtado founded and helped to propagate El Hogar de Cristo ("Christ’s Home"), the single largest charitable organization in Chile to this day. Remarkably, these “homes” continue to provide social services that minister to every aspect of a person’s life. They offer maternity care to underprivileged women, shelter to homeless children and adults, food for the hungry, vocational training for the unemployed, counseling for the addicted and afflicted, relief services to those in crisis, healthcare for the needy, nursing care for the sick poor, education to disadvantaged youth, and even funeral services for those who cannot afford a decent Christian burial. The Hogar is simply incredible in its scope and care for the underserved.

The Hogar was born of Padre Hurtado’s “holy desire” to respond to Jesus’ charge in Matthew 25:40 to care for those most in need. “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Today, I am convinced that the Hogar thrives because God wills it, Christ blesses it, and people of good will support and sustain San Alberto’s vision. I know now that it is for this reason that those circular posters hung in many places in Chile. They were part of a fund-raising campaign to support the Hogar de Cristo network. The idea was that if you spent 3,000 pesos at the store and had 2,000 in change coming to you, you would donate that change to support the amazing works of Padre Hurtado. This is the impressive level of influence that this one Jesuit has had on the people to whom he was missioned to love and serve.

Now you may ask why the black soutane? Well, that infamous photo was taken prior to Vatican II, when that was the common dress of a Jesuit in many places. More importantly, you may ask, why was he striking a hoe into the earth? It’s evident, is it not? He was laying the foundation for the first Hogar de Cristo, the first place from which he and thousands of generous men and women after him would serve God's poor, “the least of our sisters and brothers.”

Alberto Hurtado, SJ, was beatified on October 16, 1994, by St. John Paul II and canonized by Pope Benedict XVI on October 23, 2005. Today Saint Alberto Hurtado remains a revered figure in Chile and around the globe. Indeed, this visionary Jesuit remains one of my favorite saints and continues to serve as an inspiration to me. For those who have visited me in the Province Offices in Manhattan, you will no doubt recall seeing that famous image of San Alberto that hangs over my desk. He is that important to me.

I hope you find Saint Alberto Hurtado, “father and friend of the poor” as inspiring!

San Alberto Hurtado, ruega por nosotros!

Fr. Phil Florio, SJ, is Provincial Assistant & Director of Vocations for the USA East Jesuit Province.

More About St. Alberto Hurtado

Economic Crisis… and St. Alberto Hurtado (Jesuits Global)