December 10th is celebrated around the world as Human Rights Day. The date commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948. The UDHR establishes the fundamental human rights and freedoms to which all men and women are entitled, without any distinction. In 2012, we will mark the document's 64th anniversary.

In Catholic Social Teaching, human rights emanate from the fundamental dignity and sacredness of the human person, created in likeness of God. These key rights correspond to the essential ele­ments a person needs to live a life of dignity. Sadly, too many of our sisters and brothers, both close to home and around the world, live in situations that violate their basic rights. On this day, and every day, we hold them in our prayers and seek to respond in concrete ways to their cries for justice.

Included in this posting are a backgrounder on the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture, a litany for Human Rights Day, and a resource for the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Keep your eyes open for additional resources next week, including the last piece in our Advent series and a unit on conscientious objectors.