World Day of the Poor 2024 on Sunday 17 November

The first World Day of the Poor was observed in the universal Church in November 2017 at the request of Pope Francis. Speaking at the time the Holy Father said that he wanted to offer the Church a World Day of the Poor, “so that throughout the world Christian communities can become an ever greater sign of Christ’s charity for the least and those most in need.”

The World Day of the Poor will be marked on Sunday 17 November on the theme The prayer of the poor rises up to God (cf. Sir 21:5)

Lunch with some of the poor people of Rome has become tradition for Pope Francis and this year will be no different, as over 1,300 poor people are due to join Pope Francis for lunch. 

You can read the Holy Father's message for this year's World Day of the Poor here.

You might also find these resources useful:

Quotes to share on social media

It is for God we serve the poor, and not for thanks. - Catherine McAuley.

Solidarity is sharing the little we have with those who have nothing, so that no one will go without. - Pope Francis.

If you consider the poor in light of faith, then you will observe that they are taking the place of the Son of God who chose to be poor. - St. Vincent de Paul, priest (1581-1660 A.D.)

Let charity be our badge of honour....so that it may truly be said, there is in us but one heart and one soul in God. - Catherine McAuley.

The great majority of the poor have a special openness to the faith; they need God and we must not fail to offer them his friendship, his blessing, his word, the celebration of the sacraments and a journey of growth and maturity in the faith. - Pope Francis.

When the poor are starving, Christ too hungers. - St. Caesarius of Arles, bishop (468-542 A.D.)

Prayers

Prayer for the Poor from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

God of Justice,

open our eyes
to see you in the face of the poor.
Open our ears
to hear you in the cries of the exploited.
Open our mouths
to defend you in the public squares
as well as in private deeds.
Remind us that what we do
to the least ones,
we do to you.
Amen.

Prayer for those trapped in oppressive circumstances

Loving Father
your risen Son sent us out
into the world as ambassadors
for the kingdom of God;
inspire us with your Spirit
of compassion, justice and truth
to declare the Good News
to those who are poor, to work
for the relief, defence and liberation
of all who are trapped
in oppressive circumstances.
We make this our prayer
through Christ our Lord.
Amen

Novena

This Novena is offered as a way to help us to prayerfully encounter in scripture God’s constant care for those who are in various forms of poverty and to prompt in us a desire for more just relations in the community.

Source: CBCEW