Called to respond to the cry of Earth and of those made poor.
Brigidines recognise World Day of the Poor.
Having repeatedly called ‘all people of goodwill ‘ to greater awareness of and response to the interconnected causes of poverty, Pope Francis first established WDP in 2017.
On World Day of the Poor 2024, (November 17th) Pope Francis calls attention to “the marginalised, the suffering and the forgotten” and reminds Christians:
“We are called in every circumstance to be friends of the poor, following in the footsteps of Jesus who always began by showing solidarity…” (Pope Francis 2024)
For WDP in 2024, Pope Francis has chosen the theme: “The Prayer of the Poor Rises Up to God”- giving recognition to the hope, dignity, faith and resilience of the most vulnerable in our world and time.
The theme also challenges us to greater solidarity.
It challenges ‘all people of goodwill’ to also listen to the prayer, the cry, which can be heard, not just in words, but in the stories and faces,
of the family desperate for food and shelter
in of the child crying for education denied her
of the woman breaking from domestic violence
in of the elder asking for advocacy, as cultures are threatened
in of the displaced person pleading for safety, seeking asylum
of those crying for escape from exploitation
and to respond.
“His message invites everyone to pay more serious spiritual attention to the poor, who need God and need a human presence – someone who is a concrete sign of listening and closeness to them.”
(Press Release, Vatican News Nov’24)
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.
(Source: Catholic Bishops Conference USA)
Read Pope Francis’ full message here: World Day of the Poor 2024
Pope Francis offers us an invitation to flow from our ‘little lagoon’ into the broader river of which we are a part.
In this context we are challenged to listen and respond to the cry of all life, pleading, ‘Am I not your neighbour?’
(Invitation & Call 2022)