Earlier this summer, Pope Leo XIV released a message for the World Day of the Poor, which is celebrated on Sunday, November 16. This brief message is almost a precursor to the new papal encyclical Dilexi Te. In it, the poor are uplifted, and it is clear that “the poor are not a distraction for the Church;” rather, “they put us in contact with the truth of the Gospel. Therefore, “every form of poverty, without exception, calls us to experience the Gospel concretely and to offer effective signs of hope.”

“Hope is born of faith, which nourishes and sustains it on the foundation of charity, the mother of all virtues. All of us need charity, here and now. Charity is not just a promise; it is a present reality to be embraced with joy and responsibility. Charity engages us and guides our decisions towards the common good. Conversely, those who lack charity not only lack faith and hope; they also rob their neighbors of hope.”

Pray: 

Lord, open my eyes to see the barriers to placing greater faith in you or increasing my faith in you. Lord, allow the seeds of hope to grow, flourish, and multiply so that charity will be found in abundance. Lord, let those I encounter this day be filled with hope in you. Amen.  

Learn: Read the entire message of Pope Leo XIV here. 

Act: 

Ages 16+: Explore new ways of serving and giving back here. 

Younger Families: Explore our Families Growing & Serving Booklet here.