Invitation & Resources to Commemorate the first World Day of the Poor on Sunday, 19 November

Editor: On Sunday,19 November we shall be commemorating the first World Day of the Poor, announced by Pope Francis at the end of his 2015-16 Jubilee Year of Mercy in the document Misericordia et Misera (#MM 21). This day is our next 'pivotal moment for global reflection and action' (MIRP Review p 3).

Image: © 2017 Mercy International Association. This image is available to any Mercy group that would like to use it to promote the 9 Days of Prayer. Please contact the Editor

We invite all members of the Mercy family to join us in 9 Days of Prayer (from Remembrance Day until World Day of the Poor) in preparation for this celebration, using a contemporary version of Catherine McAuley's original prayer for the poor, composed about 1838. The card on which Catherine wrote the prayer—shown here in the graphic, with its crossout and change— is in the MIA archives in Dublin.

Pope Francis’ message for the first World Day of the Poor has been given the title 'Let us love, not with words but with deeds'. Sr Mary Sullivan's reflection presents us with the challenge: 'What are my tangible, daily encounters with the poor?'

Download the Prayer and Reflection (3 pps; PDF)

English: Colour: A4 Paper size; US Letter size
Spanish: Colour: A4 Paper size; US Letter size

Messages to:
Mary Reynolds rsm - Executive Director MIA
Mary Sullivan rsm - Author