January 19: MLK Holiday

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., honored today, the third Monday of January, remains one of the most influential leaders of the 20th-century, especially within the civil rights movement. His teachings and leadership resonate deeply with principles of Catholic Social Teaching, bridging denominational boundaries. That Social Teaching emphasizes social justice through human dignity, solidarity, and care for the marginalized – which were values central to Dr. King’s mission of equality, nonviolence, and justice. His legacy provides Catholics with a powerful example of living out our faith in the world.

A foundational principle of Catholic Social Teaching is human dignity, affirming that every person, made in the image and likeness of God, has inherent worth. Dr. King championed this belief, envisioning a racially integrated society where segregation and discrimination would be abolished. His famous “I Have a Dream” speech calls for individuals to be judged by their character, not their race, reflecting our common conviction that racism undermines human dignity.

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For more: https://uscatholic.org/articles/201801/how-martin-luther-king-jr-s-prayer-life-moved-him-to-act-for-justice/