The first World Day of the Poor will be observed in the universal Church on Sunday 19 November 2017 at the request of Pope Francis. The World Day of the Poor message is entitled, “Let us love, not with words but with deeds”. In the message Pope Francis invites “the whole Church, and men and women of good will everywhere, to turn their gaze on this day to all those who stretch out their hands and plead for our help and solidarity.” The Holy Father’s message, draws from the life of Saint Francis and he comments that “precisely because he kept his gaze fixed on Christ, Francis was able to see and serve him in the poor.” The Pope notes that “if we want to help change history and promote real development, we need to hear the cry of the poor and commit ourselves to ending their marginalization.”
General Intercessions for the World Day of the Poor, 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Novemeber 19th 2017
We pray in a special way, on this World Day of the Poor, for all those who experience poverty and injustice around the world, that they will be able to have all they need to live a good life and care for their families, we pray to the Lord … Response: Lord, hear our prayer.
For the Church gathered here, that each of us will do all we can to show Christ’s mercy to others, especially to poor and vulnerable people around the world who suffer most, we pray to the Lord … Response: Lord, hear our prayer
Romero Award
This day could also be used to encourage families to respond in a practical way and sign up to take part in Trócaires’ Romero Family Award, details can be found on https://www.trocaire.org/getinvolved/romeroaward .