A fundamental principle that was agreed early in the life of the Society, at the time of the founding of a conference in Lyons, France, was that the primary goal of the Society was not charity, but the spiritual growth of the members of the Society.
While this may appear to be putting into second place the serving our neighbours in need, the reasoning is that unless the spirituality of the Society’s members is cared for there will no ability for them to be self-sacrificing in their love of their neighbour.
When that happens, charity, or love, becomes purely the giving of welfare.
For that reason the Society nurtures the spiritual life of its members, with the appointment of spiritual advisors at all levels, prayers and reflections at meetings and spiritual exercises at festival meetings.
The Society is also involved, in partnership with other agencies, in attempting to right the injustices that exist in our communities, injustices that cause need and suffering among our neighbours.