Archbishop Chaput Invites All Parishes to Participate in the First World Day of the Poor in Response to Call from Pope Francis

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. has invited all 217 parishes in the five-county Archdiocese of Philadelphia to participate in the World Day of the Poor which will be celebrated on Sunday, November 19. Pope Francis established this day 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 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 days leading up to the Sunday observance of the World Day of the Poor are to be marked by sincere efforts to show the poor among us the love and care of the Church.  

At all Masses on Sunday, November 19, the following intention is to be added to the Universal Prayer in all Archdiocesan parishes:

For all the poor throughout the world and in our midst,
that on this first World Day of the Poor,
they may come to know more concretely the love and care of the Church,
a love not with words but with deeds.
Let us pray to the Lord/Lord, hear our prayer.

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Editor’s Note: To read Pope Francis’ letter announcing the World Day of the Poor please visit: http://www.pcpne.va/content/pcpne/en/attivita/poveri.html.