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.

Prayer

100 Days of Prayer: January 20-25, 2020

Created by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, 100 Days of Prayer provides daily prayer intentions related to social justice issues and for the most vulnerable members of society. Use the prayers in...
Litany

100 Days of Prayer: November 24-30

Created by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, 100 Days of Prayer provides daily prayer intentions related to social justice issues and for the most vulnerable members of society. Use the prayers in...
Bulletin Insert

Catholic Social Teaching and the Death Penalty

Use this bulletin insert for education on how Catholic Social Teaching promotes an end to the death penalty and to learn how to advocate against this injustice.
Reflection

Prophets of Liberation: Moses and Saint Oscar Romero

Learn about the similarities between how Moses and Saint Oscar Romero were called to overcome fear and to use their voices prophetically. Then consider how you are being called to work as a prophet...
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Video

Discussion Guide: The Economic Injustice of Plastic

This 13-minute TED Talk, by environmental and racial justice activist Van Jones, explores the negative impact of the production, use, and disposal of plastics on the lives of the poor. The discussion...
Prayer Service

Living CST: Robert F. Kennedy

This prayer service uses quotes from Robert F. Kennedy, a transformed leader who spent his career as a politician putting the marginalized and impoverished at the center of his policy...
Calendar

October 2018: Voices for Those in Poverty

This month’s calendar offers daily reflections and actions to celebrate EFJ’s theme for the month of October 2018: Rejoice and Be Glad: Voices for Those in Poverty.  
Film Discussion Guide

Poverty, Inc.

This film discussion guide helps us discern what actually helps those in poverty and what current programs, policies, and systems may be well-meaning but do not create long-term change.  
Reflection

Forced Organ Harvesting and Falun Gong

This resource offers an insight into the cold genocide currently being carried out against Falun Gong practitioners in China. Despite official claims from the Chinese government, this resource...
Film Discussion Guide

End Game

The Netflix documentary End Game offers a compassionate exploration of how residents in palliative care facilities are helped to face death with dignity. Discussion questions, faith in action, and a...
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Prayer

Prayer for Families at the Border

We pray to end the tragic, terrible nightmare of children ripped from their parents embrace at the U.S./Mexico border.  
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Prayer

Prayer for Child Laborers

Too many young children around the world still work, often in hazardous conditions; this prayer reminds us who some of these child laborers are and why they need our advocacy and support.