How US Catholics will mark the World Day of the Poor

Washington D.C., Nov 17, 2017 / 12:00 pm

As the first World Day of the Poor approaches on Nov. 19, Catholics in the U.S. aim to amplify their outreach and their prayers for those in poverty.

One prayer for the day, prepared by Catholic Relief Services, invokes Lazarus, the beggar, from a parable in the Gospel of Luke: "Lord, teach me to open the door to Lazarus, to the poor, to know them as your children, to lift them in their distress, to work to help them find a fair share of your bounty."

The relief agency has created a parish packet to help parishes observe the World Day of the Poor. It includes prayers, homily suggestions, general intercessory prayers, and a bulletin insert.

Pope Francis announced the first World Day of the Poor in November 2016. In his June 2017 message for the observance, he asked that Christian communities "make every effort to create moments of encounter and friendship, solidarity and concrete assistance" ahead of time.

In Virginia, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington will host volunteer days, presentations, and events from Nov. 13-20 to help the community learn how Catholic Charities serves the poor.

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is also encouraging the faithful to take part in the day.

"The Holy Father desires a real encounter with the poor in our midst, to reach out to them and invite them in concrete ways to share our life," the archdiocese said Oct. 31. Ahead of the observance, Catholics should show "sincere efforts to show the poor among us the love and care of the Church."

A prayer intention for the poor will be added in all parishes of the archdiocese for Nov. 19 Sunday Masses. The prayer asks that the poor throughout the world "may come to know more concretely the love and care of the Church, a love not with words but with deeds."

In New Jersey's Diocese of Metuchen, Bishop James F. Checchio has invited the faithful to the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi on Nov. 19 for evening prayer dedicated to the World Day of the Poor.

The event will be an occasion for community reflection "on how poverty is at the heart of the Gospel," the diocese's invitation said. It is also an opportunity for those who aid, care for and comfort the poor to be affirmed, inspired and sent out with "a renewed commitment to building a 'culture of encounter'" and to bring people together with "tenderness and solidarity" despite their differences.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has also created a pastoral aid for the day.

While the document acknowledges poverty of spirit, lack of love, and isolation, it focused on material poverty. Individuals, families and communities lack access to basic necessities like good nutrition, adequate housing, safe neighborhoods, good education, healthcare and jobs that pay a fair wage.

One of the USCCB's intercessory prayers reads: "That we, the people of God, will open our hearts and souls to justice so that we will speak and act in ways that will eliminate poverty and injustice in this country and throughout the world."

The Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization has also prepared a pastoral aid for parishes and schools to mark the day.

This article was originally published on CNA Nov. 7, 2017.