Blessed are the times when our Catholic doctrine drives us to knock on our neighbor’s door. I answered such a knock from a friend who visited me immediately after the birth of my son nearly 18 years ago. My friend brought to this new, first-time mother a smile, lunch and her presence. She sat with me as I shared my concerns and joys. She watched my son as I slept. 

 

Truthfully, at the time, I was not up for visitors. The exhaustion of sleepless nights and the blackness of post-partum depression enveloped me. My friend had called to say with determination that she was coming. I did not have the energy to combat her loving firmness. Her visit was one more thing I, in my depression, had to endure. 

 

The material assistance of food, friendship, and sleep was indeed a balm. Yet, at the time, I was not aware of the spiritual significance of my friend’s gesture. What was my friend’s knock but an example of radical solidarity? 

 

Pope St. John Paul II wrote of the virtue of solidarity: “This then is not a feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of so many people … it is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to … the good of all and of each individual, because we are all really responsible for all” (Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, no. 38). 

 

We are a desensitized society who click a heart or even better a hugging emoji when others share misfortune on social media. Jesus and the Church He founded call for us to do more. Yes, we can click that emoji, but then we must not scroll on. Solidarity is calling, visiting, hugging, crying with, caring for, praying for, cooking dinner for, rallying others for, storming Heaven for others and more. 

 

The Church further calls us also to be in solidarity specifically with pregnant women. Pope St. John Paul II first applied the outreach of radical solidarity to mothers: “In firmly rejecting ‘pro-choice’ it is necessary to become courageously ‘pro woman,’ promoting a choice that is truly in favor of women. …

 

The only honest stance, in these cases, is that of radical solidarity with the woman. It is not right to leave her alone,” (Crossing the Threshold of Hope, p. 207). 

 

Radical solidarity is the theme of this year’s Respect Life Month, which is celebrated by the Church each October. Bishop Michael F. Burbridge, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities, writes, “Being in radical solidarity with women who are pregnant or raising children in difficult circumstances means putting our love for them into action and putting their needs before our own.” 

 

Our faith is built on a crisis pregnancy. Mary became pregnant with Jesus as an unmarried virgin. In the midst of her crisis, Mary modeled for us the radicalness of a simple visit to assist her cousin Elizabeth during the Visitation. 

 

Every pregnant mother, every parent raising children, every mom or dad is in need. There are also parents who are in deep crisis due to financial, emotional, or material circumstances. We often do not see the depth of need unless we are already in relationship. We must aim to be in radical solidarity with parents across this spectrum of need. 

 

To borrow Pope Francis’ words, in The Joy of the Gospel, solidarity is not “a few sporadic acts of generosity,” (no. 24). Radical solidarity is knocking on the doors of “people’s daily lives” and touching “the suffering flesh of Christ in others.” 

 

May the Holy Spirit guide each of us in living a life of radical solidarity.