Fostering Social Justice as Experienced by Catholic Social Action Volunteers

This study explored the experiences of Catholic Social Action Volunteers in fostering social justice at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Surallah, South Cotabato, Philippines. Specifically, it sought to describe their experiences, identify the challenges they encountered, and examine the coping strategies they employed to address them. The study employed a descriptive qualitative research design involving six Catholic Social Action Volunteers with three to five years of active service, who were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis. The findings revealed four themes describing the volunteers’ experiences: (1) commitment to service and social responsibility, (2) inclusive and compassionate apostolate, (3) exposure to community realities and growth in ministry, and (4) opportunities for personal and spiritual growth and empowerment. Five themes emerged concerning the challenges encountered: (1) financial constraints and scarcity of resources, (2) transportation difficulties and limited access to mission areas, (3) time management and family support concerns, (4) lack of recognition and organizational support, and (5) emotional struggles arising from interpersonal conflicts. To address these challenges, the volunteers employed five coping strategies: (1) engagement in healthy activities, (2) resourcefulness and proactivity, (3) servant leadership and teamwork, (4) positive mindset and emotional resilience, and (5) reconciliation and self-care. The findings highlight how Catholic Social Action Volunteers navigate personal, organizational, and logistical challenges while sustaining their commitment to social justice. The study underscores the importance of strengthening institutional support, volunteer collaboration, and personal resilience to sustain parish-based social action initiatives.