liberation theology, catholic social teaching, & community organizing
RESOURCE LIBRARY
Resources from key partners
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A key part of CSPL’s philosophy is that in order to be radically working for change in the world, you must be radically grounded in the spirit. The Center for Action and Contemplation offers an abundance of resources to be contemplatives in action. Their Engaged Contemplation course is an incredible resource for justice-seekers looking to deepen their contemplative practice.
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CSPL’s intern, David Inczauskis, has created a podcast focused on liberation theology. Liberation theology is a key framework for CSPL’s work and is a necessary component of the Christian and Catholic life.
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This resource offers critical perspectives and a historical framework for the Bible, including the extracanonical texts and Gospels. This helps us to understand the Bible in greater depth.
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By Daryl Russell Grigsby, this book contains thirty-six portraits of contemporary Catholics that show how they have lived the eucharistic prayer, "Lord, make of us an eternal offering to you" in their commitment to the common good and to human flourishing.
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Daily Prayer for Today’s Catholic
Subscribe online and use code “CSPL” for a 10% discount!
Give Us This Day is a monthly publication for today’s Catholic that helps you pray each and every day. Drawing inspiration from a multitude of voices, it provides a relevant and trustworthy understanding of Scripture.
The Origins of Mística
The Brazilian Landless Workers Movement (MST) works to create solidarity and collective identity among its members through a variety of pedagogical practices. One such practice is mística, which is at once a public, expressive dramatic performance and, drawing on Christian mysticism, an way of making contact with a transcendent reality. Mística draws on Christian theology generally, and specifically on the practices of the Christian base communities associated with liberation theology which were key in the emergence of the MST. It fortifies activists with the high commitment needed to engage in land occupations and the creation of farming communities through which the MST pursues its central goal of agrarian reform.
The Radical Story of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe
Her only message is about liberation to the poor.
We share this resource for you to pray with every day December 1st through December 12th, which is the custom of most Latine churches who celebrate this sacred feast day. Allow yourself to be challenged or affirmed by each reflection.
The Challenge of the Historical Jesus
The Challenge of the Historical Jesus:
Purchase this 3-hour series of professionally recorded videos of John Dominic “Dom” Crossan’s keynote lectures during the 2024 Congress for Spiritual and Public Leadership.
Free Download: 13 Faces of Jesus (Chapter 1)
This book is an invitation to share in that curiosity about the historical Jesus, what his life was like 2,000+ years ago, what his community experienced, what his teachings meant, and, most importantly, what they can teach us about advancing justice in our neighborhoods and communities through a community organizing framework, grounded in a deeply rooted spiritual life.
Voting Your Values
Sr. Emily of NETWORK explains a catholic framework for voting that examines all the most central values of the catholic faith, and shares their Equally Sacred Checklist, a tool that walks voters through the process of evaluating a candidate or referendum from a catholic perspective.
From CSPL’s September 2024 Membership Meeting
Catholic Social Thought for Organizers
Free online Catholic Social Thought course. CSPL’s Executive Director and Director of Training and Spiritual & Theological Formation are among the facilitators of this 4-part bilingual series.
A Catholic Framework for Economic Life
"A Catholic Framework for Economic Life" offers ten key principles to help Catholics reflect on the values that should shape our participation in economic life.
The Two Feet of Love in Action
The Two Feet of Love in Action is a fundamental concept in Catholic Social Justice.
Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching
These brief reflections from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops highlights several of the key themes that are at the heart of Catholic social tradition.
Social Discernment
Social Discernment is an essential tool of relationship-building and community organizing, which in a faith context allows us to practice Discernment of Spirits—and experience its benefits—collectively.
Timeline of US Military Intervention
This PDF illustrates the history of the United States military’s intervention across the world. Please use this as a resource for your own learning and reflection, or in your ministry and work for justice.
Theology of Nonviolence
CSPL Membership Meeting | March 2024
Jesus Used Nonviolence in Resistance to the Roman Empire, but this is often misunderstood and misused to enforce passivity. This presentation draws inspiration from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Gandhi, nonviolent resistors of oppression in their own contexts, to develop a theology of nonviolence that accurately embraces Jesus’ nonviolent actions.
Lent & Non-violence: Nonviolent Direct Action
This presentation examines how Jesus led a movement to engage in nonviolent direct action against the oppressive Roman Empire, especially during the last week of his life, and explores how we can apply nonviolent direct action, particularly during Holy Week.
From CSPL’s March 2024 Membership Meeting
Imago Divina
CSPL Membership Meeting | October 2023
Infusing contemplation in your practice helps you to:
Prevent burnout
Receive more energy, insight, and fullness from God
Create healthy boundaries
Fills your heart, not just watching TV
Seek the expansion in moments
Awakens our need for community
Inspires reflection before and after an action
Directs us to offer our pain to God
Invites us to place the suffering in God
Janet Ruffing - “Socially Engaged Contemplation”
The Prison & Detention Industrial Complex and Catholic Social Teaching
This PDF explains what the Prison Industrial Complex is, how it works in the United States, and how we as people of faith and committed to social justice should respond.
Altar Theology || A Brief Background
CSPL Membership Meeting | October 2022
Hebrew word "mizbēaḥ" for "altar" is derived from the root word "zbh" meaning "slaughter" but most animal sacrifices were done near the altar but not on it.
In the Ancient Near Eastern world, altars were used to keep the deities content with food and drink.
Israelites inherited this tradition of meeting the needs of the Divine but significantly expanded this understanding to invoke and encounter God at the altar.
Altar traditions also exist in African and Latin American cultures, and continue today.
Indigenous People’s Day
From CSPL’s October 2021 Membership Meeting
Dolores Huerta & Ella Baker: Latina and Black Female Movement Leaders
From CSPL’s February 2021 Membership Meeting
Moving Forward from the First Trump Administration
How will CSPL and our fellow justice leaders move forward after the 2016-2020 Trump administration?
From CSPL’s November 2020 Membership Meeting
Conscience, liberation and Paulo Freire’s Pedagogy of The Oppressed.
Discussing conscience and liberation from Paulo Freire’s book Pedagogy of The Oppressed.
From CSPL’s October 2020 Membership Meeting