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.

Film Discussion Guide

A Place at the Table

This documentary peels back the curtain on the problem of food insecurity, weaving together the stories of low-income Americans who struggle to put healthy food on the table. The film also includes...
Lectionary Reflection

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time [b] October 11, 2015

Twenty-eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time [b] October 11, 2015
Prayer Service

World Food Day, October 16

This short prayer service features quotes of five modern popes who have all urged people of faith to advocate for the right to food so everyone can enjoy daily bread and find a place at the...
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Reflection

Pope Francis: Dialogue is a Way to Peace

Pope Francis recently visited Bosnia and Herzegovina, still recovering from a bloody war two decades ago that pitted different ethnic and faith communities against each other, to proclaim that...
Reflection

Catholic Social Thought and Migration

In this Catholic Social Teaching resource, Fr. Fred Kammer S.J. reflects on migration and migrants from the perspective of the Church's teaching. He includes quotes from the American bishops as well...
Fact Sheet & Handout

Gustavo Gutiérrez: Father of Liberation Theology

Learn more about Gustavo Gutiérrez, O.P., a Peruvian theologian who has contributed so much to our understanding of the option for the poor and its expression in Liberation Theology.  

Remembering Monseñor Óscar Romero

Jimmy Francisco Ortiz Rodriguez is a young Salvadoran attorney who lends his voice to reflect on the life and legacy of Monseñor Oscar Romero and contemporary El Salvador.  

Lent 2014: The Joy of the Gospel

Lent may not seem like a joyous time, but "now is a very acceptable time," as Paul reminds us on Ash Wednesday, to be reconciled to God. Pope Francis invites us to this joyous encounter, to stop...

Water: A Gift From God, A Human Right

Unclean water and lack of sanitation affect poor people across the world. We must guarantee the fair and safe access they need to sustain their lives and secure their livelihoods. This resource is a...

“A Good Man”

Sargent Shriver was a visionary peacebuilder who reflected God’s goodness in his public efforts and private moments. This memoir recalls Shriver’s values, and our guide explores his life in the...

Third Week of Advent 2012

The third of our Advent series focuses on right relationships as we are invited to pay heed to John the Baptist’s call to make changes in our lives, today known as the Church’s preferential...

Scripture and Catholic Social Teaching: The Prophets on Poverty

Biblical scholars have noted that one of the most prominent themes in the Old Testament is a concern with the suffering of the poor. This two-page resource provides background on poverty in the...