RE -12 Module 6

Name: ________________________________ ___ Section: __________________

Expression of the Church’s Social Teaching from
Rerum Novarum to Present
Content Standard - The Church continues the mission of Christ in the present
secular world

- The principles of our moral life that are found in Jesus' words
and deeds

- Demonstrate understanding on how the social teachings was

used to preach the good news to its people today and to know
how to extend the love of Jesus through social, economic and
political aspect.
Performance Standard - Proclaim that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the
human person is the foundation of a moral vision for
society. This belief is the foundation of all the principles of
our social teaching.

- Give special attention to the needs of the poor and the

vulnerable and see Christ above all in the faces of these
people the church teaching on matters concerning social,
political, and economic issues is based on a very strong
foundation, love.

Learning Competencies - Understand how the social teachings was used to preach
the good news today and to know how to extend the love of
Jesus through social, economic and political aspect.

Objectives D – To know and understand the importance of encyclical letters

M – To evangelize and respond to the great challenges of today

through church social teaching

W – Be a good follower of Christ and do what he have done to the

people through evangelism and to share the good news of the Lord
which is salvation.

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 God-Centered Servant-Leader
- Love of God - Obedience
Opening Prayer -Prayer
Love forto the Holy Spirit
Prayer - Service
Formation Standard
- Love for the Eucharist -Simplicity
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful.
- Hope -Responsibility
And kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created.
And you will renew the face of the earth.

O God, Who
by the light of the Holy Spirit
grant that by the gift of the same Spirit
we may always be truly wise
and ever rejoice in His consolation.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Our Lady of the Holy Rosary………………………………………….… Pray for us!

St. Dominic De Guzman ………………………………………………….Pray for us!
St. Catherine of Siena…………………………………...………………...Pray for us!
St. Thomas Aquinas…………………………………………….…...…….Pray for us!
Venerable Mo. Francisca del Espíritu Santo de Fuentes……….……..Intercede for
us!

Bless us Lord that we may be a blessing to others as we praise your name

And preach Your word now and forever. Amen

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 INTRODUCTION

Good day students! Blessed be God forever and

mabuhay! Welcome to Module 6. I hope you will
enjoy our journey in learning about the Encyclical
Letters. GOD BLESS!

Gods Message for Me:

- Communicating in this time and age has become a breeze because of the
development in technology. Both communication and how technology impacts the life of
the Church are two topics that the social teachings of the Church tackle.

PRE-TEST

Activity 1:
THE GOOD SHEPERD
Jesus, in His ministry on earth, had shown many times His high regard for the worth of
each person and promises fulness if life to everyone who follows Him.
READ FROM THE BIBLE: The Story of “The Good Shepherd” (Jn. 10:1-11) and answer the
following questions:
1. How does Jesus distinguishes a good shepherd from thieves and robbers?
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2. What does Jesus mean by saying, “I come so that they might have life and have it to the
full’?
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3. What do you think does having “fullness of life” mean?

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 DISCUSSION

God’s Message in the Teachings of the Church

The Church’s social teaching finds its source in Sacred Scripture, beginning with the
Book of Genesis and especially in the Gospel and the writings of the Apostles. From the
beginning, it was part of the Church’s teaching. [It was] developed by the teaching of the
Popes on the modern “social question’” beginning with the Encyclical Rerum Novarum.

God’s Message in My Life

Technology is bringing many wonderful changes in our life. One area that technology
has and still continues to enhance is communication. Today, if we want to express our views,
feelings, and preferences, we can do so using various platforms. One of these, vlogging, is
discussed in the article at the beginning of the lesson. In the same way, the Church, if she
wishes to communicate the teachings of Jesus to her members in the modern world, make use
of a particular platform-her social teachings. Through them, her members are able to see the
moral, social, political, and economic issues of the present time in the light of Christ’s teachings.

FROM RERUM NOVARUM TO LAUDATO SI’: 125 YEARS of CATHOLIC SOCIAL

TEACHING
The Church reflects on the social, economic, and political situations faced by God’s
children. After all, God has entrusted His children to her care. One of the ways the Church looks
after the people is through the encyclical letters issued by the popes. These materials reaffirm
and develop the social teachings upheld in the Old Testament. These materials, the Church
looks after the well-being of the people in the light of the truths of our faith and Tradition.
1. Rerum Novarum (Of New Things) (1891)
English Title: On the Condition of Labor
Rerum Novarum, written by Pope Leo XIII, establishes the position of the Church
on issues that pertain to the proper relationship between capital and labor, emphasizes
the duties and obligations of owners of the capital workers to each other, upholds the
right to property and the dignity of human work, and rejects violent class struggle as
proposed by Karl Marx.
2. Quadragesimo Anno (On the Fortieth Year) (1931)
English Title: On the Reconstruction of the Social Order
Forty-years after Pope Leo XIII released Rerum Novarum, Pope Pius XI
published Quadragesimo Anno. The encyclical responds to the events during the period
of Great Depression when the world experienced economic and social turmoil. Pope
Pius XI felt the need to reiterate the message of Rerum Novarum. Quadragesimo Anno
emphasizes proper balance between labor and capital, right to property, social justice,
social charity, subsidiarity, and civil society.

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3. Mater et Magistra (Mother and Teacher) (1961)
English Title: On Christianity and Social Progress
To commemorate the 70th year if Pope Leo XIII’s Rerum Novarum, Pope John
XXIII released Mater et Magistra, declaring that the Catholic Church is the “Mother and
Teacher” of all nations. The encyclical re-examines the social and economic issues
discussed in Rerum Novarum in the post-war context. Mater et Magistra praises the new
scientific developments that have occurred but cautions the people on their potential to
restrict man’s freedom. It also criticizes the growing disparity between the rich and the
poor nations, admonishing the rich nations to extend aid to the poor nations. With this,
the encyclical expands the social teaching’s understanding of the principle of the
common good to the global level. Mater et Magistra also calls on the laity to apply the
Catholic social teaching in the world, urges reconstruction of social relationships based
on the tenets of the social teaching of the Church, and upholds the dignity of agricultural
work. Furthermore, it also emphasizes subsidiarity, a belief that any function of the
government should be performed at the lowest possible level, as long as it can be
performed adequately.

4. Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth) (1963)

In 1961, the Berlin Wall was erected. The wall divided communist East Berlin
from
West Berlin. In 1962, a direct and dangerous confrontation between the United States
and the Soviet Union brought the two close to nuclear conflict. It was after these two
events when Pope Joh Paul XXIII wrote, on his deathbed, another encyclical, Pacem in
Terris.
In Pacem in Terris, Pope John XXIII denounced arms race and called for
disarmament. He also emphasized the importance of strengthening the United Nations.
Pope John XXIII also pointed out that the only way to ensure peace is to ensure respect
of fundamental rights and observe responsibilities that ought to exist between people,
between people and their public authorities, between states, and among people and
nations.

5. Gaudium et Spes (The Joys and Hopes) (1965)

English Title: The Church in the Modern World
Gaudium et Spes is a document of the Second Vatican Council. The document
reminds the people that key to understanding ourselves and the answer to the
challenges of the present day is the Crucified and Risen Christ.
The first social teaching to the present opinions of the world’s bishops, Gaudium
et Spes emphasizes the Church’s mission to its people and calls for the people to
improve the world. It also cites the value of the family as a true “domestic church” which
could greatly help in reviving society.

6. Populorum Progressio (The Development of Peoples) (1967)

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 Pope Paul VI’s contribution to Catholic social teaching, Popularum Progressio,
asserts that “development is the new name for peace” and that the economy of
the world should serve all humanity and not just the few.

7. Octogesima Adveniens (The Eigtieth Annivaersary) (1971)

English Title: A Call to Action
Octogesima Advenience was writtem by Pope Paul VI on the 18 th anniversary of
the first encyclical, Rerum Novarum. This was written with the following events
happening in the world: recession was looming, more people were becoming
marginalized due to urbanization, Martin Luther King Jr. led the Civil Rights Movement to
convince Americans to make serious changes on how blacks were being treated, the
woman movement began, and students were protesting against the Vietnam War.
Pope Paul VI addressed concerns and issues on urbanization, discrimination,
injustice, women, and youth.

8. Evangelii Nuntiandi (Evangelization in the Modern World) (1975)

On the 10th year of the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council, Pope Paul VI also
wrote Evangelii Nuntiandi. In it, he revisits the role of evangelization as affecting human
judgment, values, interest, and way of life. He reiterated the importance of
evangelization in a world beset with problems such as consumerism, discrimination, and
indifference.

9. Laborem Exercens (Through Work) (1981)

English Title: On Human Work
Ninety years after Rerum Novarum was published, the world still saw
employment problems. More and more people were either unemployed or
underemployed and many cases of migrant workers exploitation have been reported. In
Laborem Exercens, Pope John Paul II emphasized the significance of work and relation
between social justice and solidarity with workers.

10. Sollicitudo Rei Socialis (The Social Concern of the Church) (1987)
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Populorum Progressio, Pope John Paul II wrote
Sollicitudo Rei Socialis emphasizing that peace “will certainly be achieved through the
putting into effect of social and international justice (39).” He also gave an extended
reflection of solidarity as an effective counterpoint of structures of sin,” the combined
effects of our sins, which exist to the detriment of the poor and vulnerable. Sollicitudo
Rei Socialis also condemns the widening gap between the rich and the poor.

11. Centesimus Annus (The Hundredth Year) (1991)

Pope John Paul II marked the centennial celebration of the promulgation of
Rerum Novarum with Centesimus Annus, where he discussed democracy and social
conflict lengthily and wrote about communism and capitalism. He also warned against
“consumeristic tendency of modern capitalistic societies.” He also warned against
“idolatry of the market” and the “insanity of arms race.”

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12. Tertio Millenio Adveniente (As the Third Melennium Draws Near) (1994)
Pope John Paul II’s wrote Tertio Millennio Adveniente, a letter in preparation for
the Third Millenium, in which he reiterates the significance of Jesus’ incarnation for
salvation and redemption, interprets events of the past century as steps in the
preparation for the Year of Jubilee, reaffirms the missionary character of the Church, and
calls “for a deep conversion of both the Church and society in preparation for the new
century.”

13. Caritas In Veritate (Charity in Truth) (2009)

Caritas in Veritate is written by Pope Benedict XVI. It asserts that truth-filled love
is driving force behind human development because truth is conformity with God’s plan.
Pope Benedict XVI also enjoined everyone to work for human development instead of
entrusting the entire process of development to technology. He also touched on respect
for life; the need to address the issue of food security; the need to rediscover
fundamentals values; the importance of making the common good, not profit as
economic goal; and the need to protect the rights or workers.

14. Lumen Fidei (The Light of Faith) (2013)

Lumen Fidei is Pope Francis’ first encyclical. It reminds us of God’s plan of love
for us; of how faith will enable us to line in response to life around us; and of how faith
enables us to see reality clearly and deeply, know the good, and stand firm and
courageous in life.
Leen Fidei points out that when faith is weakened, society is harmed because
faith enriches relationships and sheds light on every problem, strengthens and consoles
people amidst od suffering, and gives hope to humanity.

15. Laudao Si’ (Be To You) (2015)

English Title: On Care for Our Common Home
Laudato Si’ is Pope Francis’ appeal to “every person living on this planet” to
contribute, through dialogue and cooperation, to shaping the future of the planet. He
particularly urged the world to acknowledge environmental problems as urgent and find
immediate solutions for them. He called everyone to embark on a new path with him, to
have a new view of life and a change of heart, to address the “scandalous injustice of
the present global system,” where global environmental degradation is harming many
people, most of them are the poor and vulnerable. Thus he called on everyone to hear
“both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor” and act to in honesty and love so that
we can build our common home.

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ENRICHMENT
Activity 2:

Directions: Answer the following questions.

1. What important truth about the Church have you learned from the enumerations and
descriptions of the encyclicals and letters issued by the pope?
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2. The social teaching of the Church helps build a better world for God’s people. What
personal actions will you take, in solidarity with the Church, to promote a better world
through your family?
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3. Reflect on the recent issues and events in the country and the world. Write a prayer
asking God to guide His Church in dealing with the said issues and events.

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GENERALIZATION
- The Church has always taught that the world we live in is just on loan to us.
- The Church has proved ever reliable in matters concerning faith and morals, providing
her children with a clear roadmap that guides them on their path around an increasingly
secularized world.
- The life of every person is not a “private” possession, but is created, sustained, and
guided now by the creative, saving will of Almighty God.
- All humans have a moral responsibility to ensure that the dignity of every person is
respected and protected.
- Through its social teaching, the Church looks after the well-being of the people in the
light of the truths of our faith and Tradition.
- The first social encyclical Rerum Novarum.
- When faith is weakened, society is harmed.
- We should act in solidarity withPOST
the -Church
TEST in order to build a better world.
- The Church looks after her children whom God has entrusted to her care.
- We should hear “both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor” and to act in honesty
and love so that we can build our common home.

Activity 3: Directions: Fill in the table. Select five encyclicals on social teaching. Name the
Pope who wrote each of them and in your own words discuss the
important message of each.

Encyclical Pope who wrote Message

it

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Activity 4: Directions: Imagine that your parish priest entrusted you with the responsibility of
forming a youth group that shall organize activities for the poor in your
parish community. Based on this mandate, answer the following
questions:
1. What name will you give your group? What reason do you have for choosing that name?
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2. What would be the first project that you will do to address the needs of the poor in your
parish? What reasons do you have for your choice of project?
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Activity 5: Directions: Brief essay. In your own view, are the encyclicals relevant in today’s
world? Why yes? Why no?
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 ______________________________________________________________________
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Congratulations for completing Module 6.

You can now proceed to Module 7
.
Let us always remember: Despite the advances on technology specially on
communication, the Church presents her social teachings to her members to be able
to see the light of Jesus in the present time.
God bless everyone!

CLOSING PRAYER
The Dominican Blessing
May God the Father Bless Us
May God the Son Heal Us
May God the Holy Spirit Enlighten Us
And give us eyes to see with, ears to hear with,
Hands to do the work of God with
Feet to walk with
A mouth to preach the word of salvation with
And angel of peace to watch over us and lead us at last
By our Lord’s, gift of the Kingdom.
Amen.

SELF – EVALUATION
Kindly rate yourself by checking the box.

I need to relearn the lesson.

I just need to practice.

I am confident in doing this.

Your Comments:
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 SELF – CHECK CHART

Learning Competencies Total Number of Items SCORE

Activity 1, page 3
Activity 2, page 8 [15pts]
Activity 3, page 9 [20pts]
Activity 4, page 10 [10pts]
Activity 5, page 10[15pts]
SUMMARY Total Points
Your Total Score
Description of Your
Performance

________________________________
NAME & SIGNATURE OF STUDENT

REFERENCES

Sibs Publishing House High School Series (Called to Grow Christian Social Responsibility)

BIBLE

Vibal: A Flame with God’s Love 10 (Jesus’ Call to Build Gods’ Kingdom)

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