experience .
Those who serve others in the name of Christ are never simply technicians , moral theorists , or even practitioners of the human arts of communication . “ Face-to-face encounter ” is crucial , as Pope Francis underscores , if people are to feel understood , loved , have their humanity affirmed at the deepest level , and encounter God .
Elsewhere , Pope Francis speaks of “ eucharistic tenderness ,” of the God who comes under signs of bread and wine to nourish , to renew , and to covenant himself to us with bonds of tenderness and love . Encounter , tenderness , compassion : these are the attributes of those who serve humanity as Christ in every age .
In This Issue Dorothy Day was a woman of complexity : an ideologue who in her youth underwent a powerful conversion and embraced the Gospel as the true path to liberation ; a devoted mother and a public figure ; a traditional Catholic and an activist who challenged both Church and society . You ’ ll discover in Redemptorist Dennis Billy ’ s essay how central the Eucharist was to Dorothy ’ s faith and to her advocacy .
Begin there . . . and move on to other articles that witness as well to a Eucharist which can change lives and renew the world ; and also Sister Dianne Bergant ’ s reflections on the Sunday and solemnity readings for the months of July and August .
Anthony Schueller , SSS
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