Summarising Cardijn's appeal

Dignity and destiny of people, see judge act method and lay apostolate

“In the 100th year of the movement founded by Belgian priest and later cardinal, Joseph Cardijn (1882-1967), it is worth pondering why the Young Christian Workers (YCW) was so appealing to young people,” writes Jenny Brinkworth.

“There is a plethora of information on Cardijn online – even YouTube recordings of him speaking – so I decided to experiment and use AI (Artificial Intelligence) to summarise Cardijn’s appeal,” she continues:

Google AI came up with the following:

Emphasis on the dignity of the young worker: Cardijn believed that every young worker was created with a divine destiny and possessed inherent worth, regardless of their social or economic standing. This message empowered young people to see themselves as valuable and capable of contributing to society.

‘See, Judge, Act’ method: This practical approach encouraged critical thinking and action. It empowered young people to analyse their circumstances, make informed decisions and take concrete steps to improve their lives and communities. It shifted the focus from passive acceptance of their situation to active participation in shaping their world.

Social justice advocacy: Cardijn’s work was rooted in a deep concern for social justice. He recognised the challenges faced by young workers in the industrialising world and advocated for fair working conditions, decent wages and access to education and opportunities.

Lay apostolate focus: Cardijn’s vision extended beyond religious life, emphasising the importance of the lay apostolate in building a more just and equitable world. He encouraged young people to see their work as a form of service to God and others, actively contributing to the betterment of society.

Google AI also mentioned his charismatic leadership and his courage – during World War I he was twice imprisoned for so-called patriotic activities and in 1940 the Gestapo arrested him, but released him from jail in September 1942.

But most importantly – and back to my own words – he made the Church relevant to young people’s lives, something that is lacking today.

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Keeping Christian values relevant (The Southern Cross)