The Third World Day of the Poor will be observed on Sunday, 17 November 2019, as the Holy See had previously announced this past June when it released the message of the Holy Father. In the message, entitled The hope of the poor shall not perish for ever, Pope Francis states: ” ‘The option for those who are least, those whom society discards’ (Evangelii Gaudium, 195) is a priority that Christ’s followers are called to pursue, so as not to impugn the Church’s credibility but to give real hope to many of our vulnerable brothers and sisters. Christian charity finds concrete expression in them, for by their compassion and their willingness to share the love of Christ with those in need, they are themselves strengthened and confirm the preaching of the Gospel.” Pope Francis established the World Day of Poor following the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy in November 2016. In Canada, each diocese and eparchy decides how and when it is most opportune to focus on poverty in view of its local situation.
