24,124 Visits – Folha de S. Paulo, December 6, 1970
by Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira
Before slavery was abolished, a poor, old, illiterate Black man took the initiative to approach some women he knew and offer them good advice. He suggested they establish an Association of Ladies of Charity to help people in need.
The advice involved demanding tasks: holding regular meetings, prayer, collecting alms, making items for the poor, and visiting the destitute to distribute the alms.
Of course, the final step in this cycle of duties was also its most memorable: the visit. This was definitely true for the quiet, small city of São Paulo 80 years ago. And it is even more true today for the large, busy, and complex São Paulo, where losing even a minute can lead to disaster, and crossing the street can feel like an adventure. It is always a sacrifice for a Lady of Charity to pause her domestic or social duties, taking some time away from her husband, children, or pleasures to visit a poor, sick person in a shack, tenement, or basement. But the sacrifice is worth it. The Lady of Charity does not just bring material help—she offers much more: the warmth of her presence, the comfort of a smile, a little conversation, and the hope inspired by her words.
This is extremely valuable. Through her presence, the Lady of Charity shows the sick that this rare and priceless flower, selfless compassion, still exists in the world. I am talking about genuine compassion, where the wealthy share in the pain of the poor, the healthy partake in the suffering of the sick, and those surrounded by affection and prestige remember those in isolation and abandonment. It is a compassion without political motives or empty desires for recognition for kindness to the poor. It moves straight from person to person and would exist even without class conflicts or social issues. It is not romantic sentimentality and remains steady even if the poor are irritable or ungrateful. This compassion is not limited to Earth but prepares souls for Heaven by teaching the doctrine of Jesus Christ and bringing them closer to the Sacraments.
All of this falls under the cherished label—which in our modern age feels painfully outdated—of Christian charity.
Maybe it’s easy to visit a poor, sick person once in a while. But doing it regularly, methodically, rain or shine, bringing them much-needed and hard-earned help, and talking to them about their pain even when our own hearts are bleeding with ours…
Returning to the good illiterate Black man, he certainly understood how difficult the advice he had given the ladies, his acquaintances, in those distant days of imperial Brazil.
But the communicative fire of Christian charity burned brightly in his soul. He persuaded, inspired, and attracted people, and his advice was heeded.
As a result, São Paulo’s first Ladies of Charity gathered in a room at Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Paiçandu Square in September 1887.
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Since then, like a river that widens as it flows, the good work inspired by the friendly and illiterate adviser has only expanded.
According to their latest report—from 1969—there are 840 Ladies of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul in the city of São Paulo. That year alone, they helped over 13,000 poor people and distributed more than 700,000 cruzeiros in alms, including 253,399 kilograms of food and 43,152 liters of milk. They provided 48,553 items of clothing, 6,533 pairs of shoes, 6,046 blankets and warm clothing, and filled 1,881 prescriptions. Regarding spiritual assistance, they organized 17,816 communions, assisted couples in legalizing their unions, prepared individuals for their first communion, and helped the dying faithful prepare for death.
The reader will say, ‘Impressive.’
I agree. But there is much more. The Association of Ladies of Charity runs four educational institutions, mostly free of charge. It also operates two nursing homes with 174 elderly women, two outpatient clinics, a dental clinic, and at least twenty Mothers’ Clubs that supplied over 10,000 items to the poor in one year.
All of this exists today in São Paulo because in 1878, a Black man, beloved by God and loving God in return, who was illiterate but had high aspirations and broad perspectives, chose to share the good advice born from his faith-filled soul instead of keeping it to himself.
Given all of the above, isn’t it worthwhile to give good advice despite everything?
Therefore, dear reader, never stop giving sound advice. More often than not, your helpful guidance will lead to negative outcomes: indifference, hostility, or even rebellion. Usually, truly good advice is difficult to follow. When offered a solution that requires hard work or painful effort, most people see it as an attack. As Scripture states, the number of fools is endless, and choosing mediocrity by resisting the call to duty or struggle is foolish.
However, on the few occasions when people follow good advice, such sources of living water can flow forth, showing that remaining faithful to the difficult habit of giving good advice is rewarding despite everything.
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I cannot list all these facts without mentioning that this great work, which benefits our hardworking and struggling population, is led by a bishop who has already provided significant service to São Paulo, namely, Dom Ernesto de Paulo. Under his strong leadership, a small group of intelligent, active, and selfless women oversees all this work, and Maria José Salgado, their president, deserves special recognition.
What I admire the most about this legion of 840 ladies’ work is their home visits to the poor and sick. In 1969 alone, they made 24,124 visits. Can the reader estimate what this signifies?
I have my reasons for this preference. Giving money, giving time, and giving work are substantial acts. More than anything else, it involves offering your own presence, along with a piece of your soul; it is performing the apostolate that helps heal the body and opens the majestic and light-filled gates of the Kingdom of Heaven to souls.
So, let me give you, my reader, some friendly advice: help the Ladies of Charity Association this Christmas and New Year.
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I notice someone smirking sarcastically while reading this article: “Ladies… poor… charity! How anachronistic it all is!”
Our Lord Jesus Christ said, “You will always have the poor with you” (Mt 26:11). What would the world be like without a place for the poor, genuine Christian ladies, or charity?
