CATECHISM CORNER — World day of the poor : encountering Christ through justice, evangelization and service to the poor

Dr. Marco Roman

By Marco Roman, Ph.D.

Director of Communications

Jesus Christ offers us one of the most profound and challenging teachings of the Gospel when He declares: “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Mt 25:40).

These words reveal an essential truth of our Catholic faith: Our love for Jesus Christ must be expressed in our love for others, especially those who are poor, vulnerable, suffering or forgotten. The Lord identifies Himself so closely with those in need that our response to them becomes a response to Christ Himself. As we observe the World Day of the Poor (Sunday, Nov. 15), the Church invites us to examine the authenticity of our faith and the extent to which our lives reflect the Gospel we profess.

Established by Pope Francis in 2017, the World Day of the Poor reminds us that concern for the poor is not an optional activity or simply a humanitarian undertaking. Charity toward the poor is an essential expression of Christian discipleship and an integral dimension of the Church’s mission of evangelization.

The Church exists to proclaim Jesus Christ, call all people to conversion and faith, lead them into discipleship and holiness, and bear witness to the transforming power of the Gospel. Within this mission, the works of mercy make visible the love of Christ and demonstrate that the Gospel must transform not only what we believe but also how we live.

Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches: “God blesses those who come to the aid of the poor and rebukes those who turn away from them” (CCC 2443).

It further explains that the Church’s love for the poor belongs to her constant tradition, inspired by the Beatitudes, the poverty of Jesus and His particular concern for those in need (CCC 2444). Every human person possesses an inherent and inviolable dignity, not because of wealth, social position or material circumstances, but because each has been created in the image and likeness of God and is called to eternal communion with Him.

This responsibility is expressed in the Church’s teaching on the preferential option for the poor, an essential principle of Catholic social doctrine. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church teaches that this preferential option is a particular expression of Christian charity, guiding our personal decisions, use of material goods and responsibilities toward others (182).

It does not suggest that God loves some persons more than others. Rather, it recognizes that those experiencing poverty, injustice or deprivation have a particular claim upon our compassion and assistance. In imitation of Christ, who drew near to the poor, the sick and the marginalized, Christians are called to give special attention to those most in need, recognizing them not merely as recipients of assistance but as brothers and sisters possessing the same God-given dignity.

Closely connected to this teaching is the inseparable relationship between charity and justice. The Church teaches that the goods of creation are intended for the benefit of the entire human family (CCC 2402–2406).

Although private property is a legitimate right, its possession carries moral responsibilities toward others. The Compendium reminds us that love for the poor cannot be separated from the demands of justice (184). Feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, providing shelter and caring for the sick are indispensable expressions of Christian love.

Yet charity also calls us to uphold just wages, respect the dignity of work, protect family life and promote conditions in which every person can live with dignity. Justice requires that we give others what is rightfully theirs; charity goes further, moving us to give of ourselves in imitation of Christ. As the Compendium beautifully teaches, “Love presupposes and transcends justice” (206).

The Church’s charitable mission, however, can never be separated from her evangelical mission. Our works of mercy are not substitutes for proclaiming Jesus Christ, nor is evangelization complete when it fails to bear the fruits of charity.

The proclamation of the Gospel and the witness of Christian love belong together. Those who encounter the generosity and compassion of Christians should also be able to recognize the source of that love: Jesus Christ, who first loved us and gave Himself for our salvation.

Charity becomes a powerful testimony to the truth of the Gospel when it is rooted in faith, animated by grace and offered as a witness to the saving love of Christ. Indeed, the Compendium teaches that the Church’s social doctrine is an integral part of her evangelizing ministry (66).

Pope Francis emphasized this responsibility in his message for the Fourth World Day of the Poor, reminding Christians that reaching out to those in need is a sign of the authenticity of the faith we profess (8).

Pope Leo XIV reaffirmed this evangelical witness during the Jubilee of the Poor in November 2025, reminding the Church that God’s love reaches its fullness in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

He also encouraged Christians to recognize poverty in its many forms, including material deprivation, spiritual suffering and loneliness. Our response must therefore address the whole person, offering material assistance, friendship, spiritual encouragement and the hope that comes from an encounter with the living Christ.

The Catechism summarizes this responsibility through the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, charitable actions by which we assist our neighbor in bodily and spiritual necessities (CCC 2447).

Feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick, instructing the ignorant, counseling the doubtful and comforting the sorrowful all reflect the Church’s concern for the integral good of the human person. These works of mercy are concrete expressions of holiness and powerful witnesses to the Church’s mission of evangelization.

As we commemorate the World Day of the Poor, we should ask ourselves: Do I recognize Jesus Christ in the poor and vulnerable? Does my Catholic faith lead me to concrete acts of generosity, sacrifice and service? Do I recognize that my responsibilities extend beyond occasional assistance to the demands of justice and the dignity of every human person?

Ultimately, our service to the poor must flow from our conversion and faith in Jesus Christ, deepen our discipleship, lead us toward greater holiness and bear fruit in the Church’s mission of evangelization. The preferential option for the poor and the demands of charity and justice are not secondary concerns of our Catholic faith. They are concrete expressions of the commandment to love God and our neighbor.

May this World Day of the Poor renew in each of us a sincere love for Jesus Christ and a greater commitment to recognize and serve Him in those most in need.

May our faith bear fruit in works of charity and justice, leading others to encounter the saving love of Jesus Christ. For the Lord who calls us to conversion, faith and holiness is the same Lord who reminds us that whatever we do for the least of His brothers and sisters, we do for Him.