On 17 May 2025, the International Young Catholic Students (IYCS) hosted an enriching and insightful webinar titled “Faith in Action: A Method Rooted in Catholic Social Teaching.” The event, which began at 2:00 PM Paris time, brought together 48 participants from various regions, reflecting the global reach and relevance of the topic. The session was facilitated by Roshan Melwyn Lobo, Secretary General of IYCS, who warmly welcomed attendees. It opened with a prayer led by the IYCS Chaplain, creating a spirit of unity and reflection.

The core of the webinar featured a compelling presentation by Dr. Stefan Gigacz, an eminent scholar and advocate of the See, Judge, Act (SJA) methodology. Dr. Gigacz currently serves as an Honorary Postdoctoral Associate at the Yarra Theological Union and the University of Divinity in Australia, and as Secretary of the Australian Cardijn Institute. With over 25 years of dedicated research into the life and legacy of Joseph Cardijn, founder of the Young Christian Workers (YCW), Dr. Gigacz holds extensive academic qualifications, including a PhD on the Jocist influence at the Second Vatican Council.

In his reflection, Dr. Gigacz traced the roots of the SJA method to the scientific method and moral inquiry, highlighting the contributions of Frédéric Le Play, and later philosophical and theological refinement by Alphonse Gratry, Léon Ollé-Laprune, St. Thomas Aquinas, and Fr. AD Sertillanges. These thinkers argued that social issues involve deep moral questions, and the virtue of prudence—“right reason applied to action”—must guide our judgments and responses.

Dr. Gigacz went on to explain how the method was institutionalized through Catholic lay movements, especially by Marc Sangnier’s Le Sillon and Joseph Cardijn’s YCW, both of which emphasized democratic education, moral discernment, and action-oriented faith formation. These movements empowered young people to become protagonists in their social, political, and faith journeys.

The Church’s endorsement of the See, Judge, Act method has been consistently reaffirmed through official teachings—from Pope Pius XII, Pope John XXIII in Mater et Magistra, Pope Paul VI in Apostolicam Actuositatem, and more recently, Pope Francis, who has emphasized prudence as the “coachman of the virtues”. Vatican II and the Compendium of Catholic Social Doctrine likewise support the integration of reflection and action grounded in Gospel values.

The session featured an interactive Q&A and discussion, where participants explored how the See, Judge, Act method remains relevant in today’s social and cultural context. This segment allowed for the exchange of lived experiences and thoughtful application across global realities.

Language accessibility and inclusion were enhanced through interpretation by Jean Bosco Nduwimana, a former YCS Burundi coordinator and founder of LATRAI INC. His support enabled meaningful dialogue across linguistic and cultural boundaries, further enriching the discussion.

Ms. Maria Consolata Edomobi, the IYCS Africa Regional Coordinator, offered the closing remarks, summarizing key insights and encouraging ongoing engagement with the method. She also announced that the next IYCS webinar is scheduled for 14 June 2025. The session concluded with a final prayer by Fr. Justo Fernandez, the Incoming International Chaplain, reaffirming the commitment to faith-inspired action and global solidarity.