"The Cure for Which Mankind Longs"

September 27, 2010 by Tony Rossi

Continued from Page 1

Though the Christopher idea gained the attention of powerful people, it was predominantly a grass-roots movement in which the average citizen accepted some level of sacrifice in order to make a difference. For instance, a young woman inspired by The Christophers went into the field of social work and wrote the following to Father Keller: "I have from time to time been tempted to try a job where I would be able to earn more money and get some of the material things that all young girls like. But then I look into the eyes of some of my little children and I realize I have more than money can buy."

Another letter to Father Keller came from a surprising source. It stated, "I am an agnostic -- and my first thought upon receiving your Christopher News Notes was to tear them up without reading them. However, because I love to read and perhaps partly out of curiosity, I have been reading them through. Although I may never be able to really believe in God . . . your words make me want to do more, really devote more time to helping others less fortunate than I."

Though Father Keller died in 1977, the mission he set for The Christophers continues to this day. Considering the current drift from God and traditional values, his ideas remain as relevant now as they were sixty-five years ago. Yet Father Keller was never one to indulge in complaining about what was wrong with the world. Instead, he encouraged others to focus on the good that could be accomplished.

As he wrote, "The leavening of the multitude with Christian ideals can be done in the same simple way it was by the early Christians of the catacombs -- (through) their consuming love for all men, even their worst enemies, in each of whom they saw the image of Christ Himself. It is a power which the least of us can have. It is the cure for which mankind longs."

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About Tony Rossi

Tony Rossi serves as host/producer of "Christopher Closeup," the radio show and podcast of. The Christophers, a Catholic non-profit that uses media to encourage people of all faiths to live gospel values.

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