Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

“The Church’s love for the poor is inspired by the Gospel of the Beatitudes, by the poverty of Jesus and his love for the poor.” ﹣Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, #184

Migrant receives assistance emphasizing importance of assisting poor and vulnerableDiscover a powerful collection of resources focused on the Catholic Social Teaching principle of the preferential option for the poor and vulnerable. This principle calls individuals and communities to prioritize the needs of society’s most marginalized members, recognizing their dignity and working toward justice and equity.

On this page, you’ll find:

  • Prayers and Reflections: Spiritual resources to inspire compassion and solidarity with the poor and vulnerable in light of Gospel values.
  • Lesson Plans and Educational Materials: Engaging tools for teaching about economic justice, human dignity, and the Church’s call to uplift those in poverty.
  • Multimedia Content: Videos, articles, and infographics that highlight the lived realities of marginalized communities and the Church’s response to their struggles.
  • Advocacy Guides: Practical resources for promoting policies, actions, and systems that prioritize the well-being of the poor and address systemic injustices.

These resources provide educators, faith leaders, and advocates with the tools to reflect on their role in creating a just society where the needs of the poor are met with compassion and action. Rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, they inspire a deeper commitment to walking with the vulnerable and advocating for systemic change.

The Urbanization of Global Poverty

The urbanization of poverty is a growing phenomenon as people increasingly move from rural areas to cities in search of work in developing countries. Poverty rates are rising in cities as a result....
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Prayer Service

Prayer Service on the Feast Day of St. Vincent de Paul

St. Vincent de Paul had a special heart for the poor and connected spirituality to action. Use this prayer service on his feast day, Sept. 27, or any other day to reflect on poverty.

The Bond Family Budget Game

The Bond Family lives above the poverty line, but can you make their budget balance, with all the costs of housing, child care, food, etc.? This game, adapted with permission from Just Neighbors, is...
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Case Studies on Women Refugees

Women who seek asylum in the U.S. have particular difficulties as refugees. This fact sheet describes their situation and includes several case studies.

Prayer Service for a Commitment to a Just World

This prayer service focuses on strengthening the commitment for a just world. Please follow the link.

Poverty and the Environment Unit

Use this unit for World Environment Day (June 5) or any other environmental day. This new forty-one page unit is full of Catholic Social Teaching, fact sheets, case studies, prayers, interactive...
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Street Children

This fact sheet describes the situation of the millions of children around the world who are called "street children." The resource is based on the New Internationalist magazine's April...
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Mothers at Risk and in Need

Compared to other developed countries, the U.S. lags behind in providing assistance to mothers in terms of child care, maternity leave, or financial support for poor families.

Pope John Paul II on Poverty and Debt

This two-page handout/bulletin insert overviews John Paul II's concerns about debt of poor countries and the problem of hunger in the world.

Debt and the Environment

The Jubilee USA Network is concerned about effects on the environment of projects and programs sponsored by the World Bank and IMF.

Poverty and the Environment

Environmental degradation has a magnified affect on the poor. This informative fact sheet includes statistics, a case study, discussion questions, CST, and a prayer.

Poverty, Disasters and Development

The Option for the Poor is central principle of the Church's social teaching and relevant in disasters such as the tsunami in South East Asia. This unit consists of fact sheets on the poverty and...
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