SAINTS ALIVE! MARCH 15: ST. LOUISE DE MARILLAC
 
Saint Louise de Marillac, D.C., was the co-founder, with Saint Vincent de Paul, of the Daughters of Charity. She is the patron saint of social workers.
 
“Social workers help people overcome social and health problems, such as poverty, mental illness, child abuse and neglect, emotional instability, illness, economic uncertainty, domestic violence, homelessness, and drug abuse. … Social work's approach is unique among the helping professions because it focuses on people's problems in the context of their social environment as well as on social and economic justice and social change. Social workers believe that people are influenced by the strengths and weaknesses of those around them - in their families, communities, workplaces, and organizations. Social workers apply their professional knowledge and skills to help people make the most effective use of their own abilities.” National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
 
In short, social workers work to ensure the dignity of the human person.
 
“The Catholic Church believes that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. This belief is the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching. We believe that every person is precious, that people are more important than things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person” (USCCB).
 
Each of us was created in the image of God. That alone makes us special. We believe that Christ is within every one of us and we encounter Christ in everyone we meet. (“Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (MT 25:40). That alone calls us to respect the dignity of every human person.
 
Human dignity is the root of all rights and can be protected only if human rights are protected. This includes the right for all persons to have their person – their uniqueness, their value, their self – recognized and respected. Therefore, human dignity can only be protected if each of us meets our responsibilities to one another, to our families, and to society as a whole. 
 
"Love the poor and honor them as you would honor Christ Himself," St. Louise declared, and she did, ministering to the poor, homeless and unemployed while recognizing their inherent dignity.
 
Just like today’s social workers.