August 07, 2013: Every year on the 7th of August thousands of pilgrims flock to the
shrine of St Cajetan in Liniers a neighbourhood in the Argentinian city of Buenos
Aires to pay homage to this much celebrated Saint. The Italian Saint, who is also
honoured worldwide, left a life of privilege, to work with the poor and is known as
the Patron of the unemployed and job seekers.
Last year Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio,
Archbishop of Buenos Aires was celebrating this feast day in Argentina with the many
others who are devoted to this man of God. But this year the now Pope Francis sent
a video message saying that although he cannot be with everyone in person, he is with
them in his heart. The Pope in the his message spoke of the importance of encountering
those who are in need, just like Jesus and the St Cajetan did. He said being a Christian
means not offering help from afar, but going out and meeting with those who have anxieties
and problems.
The Holy Father underlined the need to build a culture of encounter
because he said, there is always someone worse off than us. Concluding his message
Pope Francis stressed that going out and encountering the most needy multiplies our
capacity to love.