The Padre Hurtado Foundation presented the programming of the Month of Solidarity 2026, a initiative aimed at renewing the commitment of Chilean society to solidarity during August, the month in which the Church celebrates the feast of Saint Alberto Hurtado, on the 18th of August, also declared National Day of Solidarity.
This year's campaign carries the slogan "Come and you will see", an invitation to change the way we look at reality, recognize others, and rediscover hope even in the midst of adversity. The proposal is inspired by the testimony of the Chilean Jesuit, whose legacy continues to promote a culture of encounter and service.
"What am I not seeing?"
With this invitation, the Foundation proposes that individuals, families, schools, parishes, movements, and organizations take a moment to reflect on those realities that often remain invisible: the suffering of others, the people who go unnoticed, and the situations that tend to be left out of one's own view.
The campaign suggests that solidarity begins when one learns to "see better", recognizing the dignity and needs of others. To translate this call into actions, the campaign presents two signs. The first is the "glasses of solidarity", yellow lenses inspired by the aromo, a tree that blooms during the Chilean winter and symbolizes life that emerges in difficult times. Wearing these lenses represents the commitment to look at reality with greater sensitivity and openness toward those who need support the most.
The second gesture consists of visiting the Sanctuary of Father Hurtado, in Estación Central, bringing a branch of aromo to place beside the saint's tomb as a sign of hope and action. This tradition originates from a letter that the writer Gabriela Mistral dedicated to Saint Alberto Hurtado after his passing in 1952.
Look, visit, and go out to meet
The pastoral proposal unfolds in three complementary moments. The first invites a change of perspective and to be challenged by the question about what remains invisible. The second proposes visit the Padre Hurtado Sanctuary to get closer to one of the places most significant to the social and spiritual memory of Chile. The third movement encourages to go out to meet those who suffer.
In this context, the historic Green Truck of Padre Hurtado will travel, between August 7 and 9, to the towns of Concepción, Penco, Lirquén and Tomé, in the Biobío region, one of the areas affected by the wildfires recorded in January of this year.
The visit includes educational activities in collaboration with the Catholic University of the Most Holy Conception (UCSC), meetings with affected communities and will conclude with a procession and a Eucharist at the cathedral of Concepción.
Pilgrimages, music and expressions of popular faith
The Padre Hurtado Sanctuary will be the main venue for the celebrations of the Month of Solidarity and will open its doors with a schedule of free activities for the entire community. The program includes:
- August 1: Youth Pilgrimage organized by the Young Hope Delegation of the Archdiocese of Santiago, which will depart from the National Gratitude church, next to the República Metro station.
- August 7 to 9: Tour of the Green Truck through Concepción, Penco, Lirquén and Tomé.
- August 15: Pilgrimage of Cuasimodistas, which will culminate with a Eucharist at the Sanctuary on the occasion of the solemnity of the Assumption of Mary.
- 16 of August: Vigil of Divine Song, which will bring together the tradition of popular rural poetry with the spirituality of Father Hurtado.
- 18 of August: Mass of the National Day of Solidarity, at 19:00 hours, presided over by Fernando Chomalí. The organizers invite attendees to participate by wearing the glasses of solidarity and carrying a branch of aromo as signs of the campaign.
- 22 of August: Concert of the Foundation of Youth and Children's Orchestras (FOJI), which will bring together young musicians in an open meeting space for the community.
- 30 of August: Pilgrimage of Religious Dances, one of the most traditional expressions of Chilean popular religiosity, which will conclude with the mass at the parish temple Jesus Worker.
Tools to learn about the legacy of Saint Alberto Hurtado
As one of the new features of this edition, the Sanctuary will incorporate digital audioguides accessible from mobile phones, which will allow visitors to explore the place with historical and spiritual information.
Visitors will be able to participate in an interactive trivia about the life, work, and legacy of Saint Alberto Hurtado, designed to offer a more participatory and close experience, especially for children, young people, and families.
With these initiatives, the Padre Hurtado Foundation wants the Month of Solidarity to be a opportunity to renew the commitment and service with those who need it most and make solidarity a daily practice. Inspired by the legacy of the Chilean saint, the campaign invites the whole country to discover that a more fraternal society begins when each person dares to look at the other with new eyes.
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