Heroes among us

By Fr Stephan Alexander

General Manager, CCSJ and AMMR

In a world filled with noise and confusion, the word ‘hero’ often evokes images of those who perform dramatic feats like rescuing others from danger. Yet, as the Archdiocese of Port of Spain prepares for its Festival of Hope on October 10–12, the Catholic Commission for Social Justice (CCSJ) invites us to rediscover another kind of hero: the social justice hero.

These are men, women, and children, often unseen and unsung, whose daily choices reflect the Gospel’s call to love one’s neighbour and to build a society rooted in human dignity, solidarity, and the common good.

What does a social justice hero look like?

According to Catholic Social Teaching (CST), a social justice hero is first and foremost a person of faith. Their life begins with a deep awareness that every human being is created in the image and likeness of God and therefore deserves respect and care.

They do not act because of applause or political convenience, but because their conscience, formed by the Gospel, will not allow them to remain indifferent. They see injustice and quietly say, “This cannot be the way God intended the world to be.”

Such heroes embody the principles of CST not as abstract theories, but as concrete actions. They defend the life and dignity of the human person from the unborn to the elderly, from the migrant to the prisoner.

They understand that the call to family, community, and participation means building relationships that heal rather than divide.

They respect the rights and responsibilities that come with citizenship.

They practise the preferential option for the poor, ensuring that those on the margins are never forgotten.

They uphold the dignity of work and the rights of workers, stand in solidarity with others regardless of their differences, and live in care for creation, recognising that our common home is also a neighbour in need of justice.

At the CCSJ, we have been blessed to meet many such heroes. People whose names may never appear in the newspaper but whose love changes lives.

They are parishioners who distribute meals to the homeless, teachers who ensure every child is treated with respect, and young people who use their creativity to advocate for inclusion and equality.

They are migrants who, despite hardship, show resilience and generosity; and retirees who spend their free hours visiting the sick and accompanying the lonely.

Some of our heroes are no longer with us. We remember those who, through decades of dedication, championed justice long before it became fashionable.

Their legacy forms the foundation upon which the CCSJ continues to stand. Their courage reminds us that social justice is not a department within the Church; it is the very expression of her soul. It is faith in action, love made visible.

Ordinary people, extraordinary love

The truth is that social justice heroes rarely see themselves as such. They simply do what love requires. They do not wait for the perfect moment or for recognition from others. They respond, here and now, to the needs they encounter.

They take to heart the words of the Prophet Micah: “… what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Mic 6:8)

This humility is the essence of true heroism. It is the courage to see and to act, the courage to notice the Lazarus lying at our gate, the migrant seeking dignity, the youth longing for opportunity. The world does not need more heroes in capes; it needs disciples who believe that mercy and justice can transform lives.

The CCSJ’s vision of heroism

The CCSJ desires to awaken this heroic spirit in everyone. We believe that each parish, school, and community can become a wellspring of social justice. Through initiatives like the Society of St Vincent de Paul, Parish Ministry for Migrants and Refugees (PMMR), Child-Friendly Spaces, and Community Aid and Relief Days (CARD), we see ordinary people living extraordinary love. Each initiative is a reminder that social justice is not a profession; it is a vocation, a calling that belongs to every baptised Christian.

When a parishioner helps a neighbour find food or legal support, when a teacher creates an inclusive classroom, when a young person refuses to stay silent in the face of discrimination, these are acts of heroism. They reveal that holiness and justice are intertwined.

The Festival of Hope allows us to celebrate not only the heroes we know but the hero that each of us can become. Let us teach our children that justice is not a dream—it is a daily choice.

Let us, “see, judge, and act” with the eyes of faith, so that our communities may become living signs of hope. Because when ordinary people live with extraordinary love, the Kingdom of God begins to break through.

The CCSJ asks for your support. Please donate:

Catholic Commission for Social Justice

Account #: 290 458 025 501

Bank: Republic Bank Ltd.

or you can contact us at: admin.ccsj@catholictt.org