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.

Activity

World Hunger Crisis

Communities around the world are facing extreme hunger alongside issues of conflict, climate change, COVID-19, and the cost of rising food. Catholic Relief Services assembled a resource alongside...
Activity

Web Quest: Solidarity and Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

This is a web quest resource based on Matthew 25. Participants are encouraged to look up faith based and national organizations to show how they are in solidarity with the poor, the vulnerable and...
Fact Sheet & Handout

An Antidote to Despair Discussion Guide

A discussion guide that walks through an article from Commonweal Magazine highlighting Paul Farmer and his theology of accompaniment. The article, "An Antidote to Despair" ran in February 2022.
Reflection

Catholic Social Teaching: Rooted and Renewing

The Catholic Social Teaching: Rooted and Renewing reflection invites us to consider how consciously making daily decisions from the perspective of CST, in solidarity with all those who suffer and all...
Fact Sheet & Handout

Education for Justice 2022 Summer Reading List

These recommendations for summer reading are organized by spiritual reading, non-fiction, and fiction. These works are connected to one or more themes of Catholic Social Teaching and highlight...
Fact Sheet & Handout

Resource List on the Relations of Indigenous Peoples and Catholics

This resource list provides suggested books, articles, and videos that teach about the legacy of colonization and the genocide of Indigenous Peoples in the United States and Canada. In particular,...
Film Discussion Guide

Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am

Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am is a documentary about the Catholic writer’s life. Use this film discussion guide to accompany a viewing of the film. Commemorate Black History Month...
Prayer

Prayer for Struggling Families

This prayer uplifts families around the world that are struggling in the face of uncertainty, racism, poverty, and violence. We pray to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, the Holy Family, that our prayers...
Quiz

The Option for the Poor Quiz

This quiz asks questions and provides statistics about how COVID-19 affected poverty rates in the United States. Use this quiz to gauge student knowledge on poverty before beginning a new unit or...
Reflection

CST and Economic Security

This reflection discusses Catholic Social Teaching on economic security in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Reflection questions, suggested actions, and a prayer are included.
Prayer

Prayer on Inequities

This prayer calls us to bear witness to the many inequities that exist in our communities and around the world. We are invited to respond through our work for global justice and peace so that our...
Prayer

Prayer for the Epiphany 2021

This prayer for Epiphany invites us to open our longing hearts to the Holy Family and to recognize today's migrants as holy families. May the light of Epiphany bless us with a vision of a just and...