Pope Francis, Evangeline Booth: Poor first mentality
It comes as no surprise that many are excited to follow Pope Francis’ historic, first visit to the United States. The pontiff is traveling to New York, Washington D.C. and Philadelphia.
Pope Francis is the fourth head of the Catholic Church to visit the United States since 1965.
The pope has demonstrated his passion for connecting with the poor many times over. In fact, Francis chose his papal name in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi, who was especially concerned for the well-being of the poor.
In keeping with his rejection of the pageantry that accompanies the papacy and his desire to live a humble life, Pope Francis chose to live in a guesthouse rather than the papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace. Additionally, he chooses simple clothing without ornaments and wears a silver piscatory ring instead of a traditional gold one.
During his visit in Washington D.C. on Thursday, Francis is forgoing his lunch with lawmakers after speaking with Congress to serve lunch to 300 homeless people along with 70 volunteers outside of St. Patrick’s Church.
As we reflect on Francis’ desire to remain humble and connect with the poor, we remember another leader with similar ambitions, though slightly more radical. We are talking about the fourth general of The Salvation Army, Evangeline Booth.
General Evangeline had a genuine concern for the poor. When a hungry man begged at the family home one night, she actually gave him her plate.
In fact, it is said that Evangeline was regularly seen and heard in the slums of London, day and night, singing, pleading, helping and defending when needed.
You see, Evangeline believed that she needed to be one of the “the people” in order to gain the trust and support of those The Salvation Army served. She realized that she needed to leave the comforts of home and interact with these people day in and day out. She had to live their life. Evangeline began dressing in rags and sold flowers with the girls on the steps of Piccadilly Circus, an open public space of London’s West End.
While her efforts to help the destitute weren’t always appreciated, her enthusiasm to help in any way possible, similar to that of Pope Francis, never wavered. She was our first female general and we were proud to have a leader so connected to those we serve.
“Jesus teaches us to put the needs of the poor ahead of our own,” Francis said Aug. 3 in St. Peter’s Square. “Our needs, even if legitimate, will never be so urgent as those of the poor, who lack the necessities of life.”