- svd-prms
- / BRN /
- November 14, 2024
VIII World Day of the Poor – IV World Day of the Poor at UniArnaldo
The World Day of the Poor is an initiative promoted by the Catholic Church, instituted by Pope Francis in 2017, to draw the attention of civil society and the faithful to the reality of poverty and social exclusion. With a message based on the commitment to help the most vulnerable. In 2024, the 8th edition of the World Day of the Poor seeks to inspire solidarity and service to others. Each year, Pope Francis presents a message that encourages reflection on the causes of poverty and ways to combat it. For this eighth edition of the Day of the Poor, the theme is “Hear my cry” and the motto is “The prayer of the poor is lifted up to God” (cf. Lk 21:5).
With this motivation of Pope Francis, the UniArnaldo University Center, located in the city of Belo Horizonte, in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, held its 4th edition of the World Day of the Poor on November 10, 2024. The Center for Values of the Arnaldo University Center, JUPIC (Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation) welcomed more than 220 homeless people from the city of Belo Horizonte, welcoming each person, listening attentively and distributing clothes, personal hygiene kits and a community lunch. 100 volunteers participated, including students, teachers and civil society. At the same time, we provided dental care, services of the Public Defender’s Office of Belo Horizonte and haircuts.
All this serves as a reminder of the social mission of the Church and invites the faithful to move from faith to action. By involving different groups and organizations in solidarity initiatives, the day promotes the building of a more inclusive society where human dignity is central. More than an event, it is an invitation to change attitudes, leading communities to become protagonists of social transformation, welcoming those in need and inspiring others to act with love and compassion. The day is thus a true call to the humanitarian spirit of all.
Ir. Olavo Junior, SVD BRN
