THE PACE J.O.C. Study Week In Belgium
From Our Special Correspondent The purpose of the annual study week at Godinnc is to afford an opportunity for the " propagandists " and " regional leaders" of the various federal groups to re-study established Jocist methods, compare results and to draw up a programme for the ensuing year.
The men's branch of the Walloon National Federation and the other national federations, including the two Flemish branches, hold separate conferences although they follow the same programme as at Godinne.
Countless organisations in other countries have been modelled on the J.O.C. As a result • the , Godinne Conferences are attended by spectators from most parts of the world. Foreigners this year came from Great Britain, Ireland, U.S.A., Canada, France, Spain, Portugal, Luxemburg, Yugoslavia, the Argentine, Bolivia and India.
A Happy Working Class The J.O.C. is now well-known everywhere and constitutes certainly one of the most effective forms of Catholic Action in existence. The Holy Father himself has characterised it as "un type acheve d'Action Catholiquc." From a tiny mustard seed in a suburb of Brussels it has grown into a gigantic tree, spreading its branches almost all over the world. Hundreds of thousands of working youth have found in it shelter and protection and a wonderful means of self-realisation, both materially and spiritually.
Instead of waiting with folded arms for succour from benevolent patrons, the J.O.C. has decided to take its destiny, with the help of God, into its own hands and to build up from within, in conformity with the social doctrines of the Church and under the guidance of the Hierarchy, a healthy, pure and happy working class. Its basic principle is justice and love and not hatred and destruction.
It teaches the worker that he is not a machine but a human being with a Godgiven personality and a sublime vocation.
From within, as a leaven in the mass" Dans la classe ouvriere, Aupres de la classe ouvriere, Sur la classe ouvriere, Par le laicat ouvrier "—it means to transform the daily life of the worker, his working milieu and the whole working mass, and in collaboration with all right-minded people, to raise up a Christian society. The threefold aim of the J.O.C. is Education, Organisation, Action. It is a School, a " Service" and a Representative Boy. with a view to the creation of a " new youth for a new
world. where the Kingdom of Christ will establish the peace of Christ."
Work of 12 Years During the twelve years of its existence the J.O.C. has realised its aim in a large measure. With its intense spiritual action on the souls of its members and even outsiders, with its various centres of social service, its numerous journals and publications, its extensive campaigns and persistent representations to public bodies, to Government and even to the League of Nations, the J.O.C. has relieved the wants and alleviated the miseries of' 'lleouSands of young workers. It has defended the cause of public morality, and in several instances has been instrumental in obtaining legislation for the relief, safety and assurance of young workers, for the improvement of salaries, etc.
While claiming for the worker all his rights the J.O.C. does not believe in class war. It acts in harmony with other progressive, constructive institutions. Without sacrificing its autonomy it is affiliated to the "Association Catholiquc de la Jeunesse Beige," and collaborates with all branches of the latter.