Office for Social Ministry
“The Lord is the refuge of the poor.” (Psalm 14:6) (Pope Leo XIV’s theme for the 10th World Day of the Poor, Nov. 15)
Where do we turn when life becomes overwhelming? For this year’s World Day of the Poor, November 15, Pope Leo XIV chose a theme that offers both reassurance and responsibility: “The Lord is the refuge of the poor.”
God never abandons those who suffer, and we are called to make his compassion visible.
At a time when millions face poverty, hunger, homelessness, war and displacement, the pope asks us to recognize those too often overlooked.
“The poor of our day are the forgotten and the marginalized,” he writes, “robbed not only of bread, but also of a voice and a face.”
His words resonate here in Hawaii, where the beauty of our islands can conceal the hardships facing our neighbors: families struggling to pay rent, kupuna choosing between groceries and medication, working parents living paycheck to paycheck and people without a place to call home.
For many, one unexpected illness, lost paycheck or natural disaster can turn stability into uncertainty.
We know how quickly circumstances can change. Storms and disasters have left once-secure families needing food, shelter, clean water and help from neighbors. These experiences also reveal the strength of our communities when we come together to care for one another.
Pope Leo invites us to bring that same compassion into everyday life. “Are we a sign of a God who is a refuge for the poor?” he asks. “Do we listen to their thoughts and share their hopes?
These questions ask us to examine how we see people, how we listen and whether our communities offer a place to belong. People experiencing poverty are our brothers and sisters, with gifts and wisdom to share. The pope reminds us that the Church is called to make room for them and walk alongside them.
What might this mean for our parishes and communities in Hawaii? It means welcoming the stranger, accompanying families struggling with housing costs, visiting lonely kupuna, supporting food pantries and listening respectfully to people whose voices are too often ignored. It means recognizing that genuine charity involves not only meeting immediate needs but also addressing the conditions that keep people trapped in poverty.
This is why the Catholic Campaign for Human Development is so important. On Nov. 15, the Diocese of Honolulu will participate in the annual national CCHD collection, an initiative of the U.S. Catholic bishops that empowers people experiencing poverty to participate in creating solutions and building stronger communities.
In his Nov. 1 pastoral letter, Bishop Michael T.T. Castori, SJ, reminds us that 25% of the funds collected in our diocese remains in Hawaii. These contributions have helped support disaster recovery, transitional housing and job training for women leaving prison, and opportunities for low-income families to build and own affordable homes.
Through these efforts, people rebuild their lives, strengthen their families and help shape their communities’ future. This reflects a central principle of Catholic social teaching: People experiencing poverty are partners in building a more just and compassionate society.
As Thanksgiving approaches, Bishop Castori invites us to “make room in our hearts — and in our giving — for all working to ‘build the Kingdom.’” Celebrating as one ohana means sharing our blessings and putting into practice the prayer Jesus taught us: “Thy Kingdom come — E hiki mai kou aupuni.”
During this holiday season, may we remember those whose tables remain empty — and consider how we might share a meal, offer companionship or support opportunities for lasting change.
Giving generously to the CCHD collection is one way to help build that more hopeful future.
Pope Leo reminds us that Christians are called “not only to seek refuge in God, but also to become a refuge for others in God.” May our parishes, families, and communities offer that refuge. May our aloha become compassionate action, shared opportunity, and enduring hope for every member of our ohana.
Read Pope Leo’s full text at www.humandevelopment.va. For more on CCHD, please visit the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ website at www.usccb.org.
Mahalo,
Your friends in the Office for Social Ministry