What is the CARITAS AWARD?

“Love - caritas - is an extraordinary force. . .”

The Pope Benedict XVI CARITAS AWARD encourages and promotes the ongoing faith journey of young people. It recognises that some are already active and committed within their homes, schools, parishes and dioceses and it invites others to respond to God’s call of love. It supports and celebrates the faith witness which young people give within their communities.

"The Christian’s programme is a heart which sees where love is needed and acts accordingly.”

This new award asks young people to use their faith learning as a starting point for further faith reflection, leading to actions which show their faith witness. Participants in the Caritas Award will be supported in deciding how they can develop and use their gifts in a way that witnesses to God’s love (“Caritas”) in their communities.

Any pupil in their final year of school can ‘sign-up’ to participate in the CARITAS AWARD. Parishes may nominate young people for the award, where no Catholic school is available to do so. The award is designed to be inclusive of all young people and is open to pupils of all faiths and denominations. Pupils can choose how they would like to record and share their learning, reflection and witness from a number of formats. Pupils studying at all levels will be able to achieve the requirements for the award.

The inaugural year of the Caritas Award is being generously supported by the Knights of St Columba.

Caritas Award News:

• Caritas Award Update 14th February 2012  
• Download a template letter for making contact with local parishes  
• Caritas Award Update 10th August 2011
• Caritas Award update 2nd June 2011
  

For answers to frequently asked questions about Caritas, see here: Caritas Award FAQs

To see a Powerpoint presentation which introduces the Caritas award, use attachment below.