God will not abandon the poor and suffering

As the Catholic Near East Welfare Association marks its centenary, the 10th World Day of the Poor marks a renewed call to continue standing with those on the margins of society. 

For Andrew Santos, development officer at CNEWA Canada, this year’s observance on Nov. 15 in particular is a call to deepen the agency’s century-long commitment to Eastern Catholic Churches and the communities they serve, most often those facing poverty, conflict and displacement, and yet who continue to find strength in their faith. 

“Through our communications, outreach and engagement with Canadian Catholics, we hope to encourage greater awareness, prayer and tangible support for communities experiencing tremendous hardship. Our work this year is to allow the Church to continue being a living expression of God's love, compassion and solidarity,” he said.  

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Ten years since being instituted by Pope Francis in 2016 at the conclusion of the Jubilee of Mercy, this year’s theme was released by Pope Leo XIV in June, referencing the Scripture of Psalm 14:6: “The Lord is the refuge of the poor.” 

On June 13, the feast of St. Anthony of Padua, the Holy Father wrote about how this theme speaks to every generation.

For Santos, the Psalm is a reminder that “even when human security fails, when homes are destroyed, livelihoods disappear and communities are uprooted, God's presence does not abandon those who suffer.”

“This is something we see every day through the remarkable witness of the Eastern Catholic Churches, who continue to open their doors, feed the hungry, educate children, care for the sick and offer spiritual consolation to those who have lost so much. If Jesus Christ is the refuge of the poor, then we, as members of Christ's Body, are called to become instruments of that refuge (as well),” he said. 

A great deal of CNEWA’s work, backed by its mission, is providing humanitarian, medical, educational and emergency relief to the very poor, displaced and marginalized the Pope called to mind. The true importance, Santos says, is the balance of immediate material assistance, but also a lasting sense of hope, dignity and refuge. This is one of the most important lessons CNEWA has learned across a century of service. 

“Humanitarian assistance and human dignity must never be separated. When a family is hungry, we must feed them. When children are displaced, we must help provide safety and opportunities for education, but our responsibility cannot end once the immediate emergency has passed,” he said.

For CNEWA Canada, true refuge is helping people believe tomorrow can be different and walking alongside them as they work toward that future.

Other Catholic charities are taking Pope Leo XIV’s call to heart this year, like the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, which sees the occasion as a time to further educate the public about the needs of those they help, recruit new Vincentians and ensure the long-term viability of its service to the poor. 

As Pope Leo XIV pleaded this summer, while no one Catholic can erase the scourge of poverty and neglect by themselves, the World Day of the Poor is a moment to collectively ensure the cry of the poor is heard and looked after. 

Santos and the CNEWA team shared a similar plea. 

“If there is one message we hope Canadian Catholics carry with them, it's that while we may not be able to end every conflict, eliminate every injustice or relieve every instance of suffering, we can ensure that those who suffer never have to face their struggles alone,” he said. 

“Perhaps that is where the refuge of God becomes most visible — in the simple, faithful and enduring love we extend to one another.” 

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The Catholic Register 

As the Catholic Near East Welfare Association marks its centenary, the 10th World Day of the Poor marks a renewed call to continue standing with those on the margins of society. 

For Andrew Santos, development officer at CNEWA Canada, this year’s observance on Nov. 15 in particular is a call to deepen the agency’s century-long commitment to Eastern Catholic Churches and the communities they serve, most often those facing poverty, conflict and displacement, and yet who continue to find strength in their faith. 

“Through our communications, outreach and engagement with Canadian Catholics, we hope to encourage greater awareness, prayer and tangible support for communities experiencing tremendous hardship. Our work this year is to allow the Church to continue being a living expression of God's love, compassion and solidarity,” he said.  

Ten years since being instituted by Pope Francis in 2016 at the conclusion of the Jubilee of Mercy, this year’s theme was released by Pope Leo XIV in June, referencing the Scripture of Psalm 14:6: “The Lord is the refuge of the poor.” 

On June 13, the feast of St. Anthony of Padua, the Holy Father wrote about how this theme speaks to every generation.

For Santos, the Psalm is a reminder that “even when human security fails, when homes are destroyed, livelihoods disappear and communities are uprooted, God's presence does not abandon those who suffer.”

“This is something we see every day through the remarkable witness of the Eastern Catholic Churches, who continue to open their doors, feed the hungry, educate children, care for the sick and offer spiritual consolation to those who have lost so much. If Jesus Christ is the refuge of the poor, then we, as members of Christ's Body, are called to become instruments of that refuge (as well),” he said. 

A great deal of CNEWA’s work, backed by its mission, is providing humanitarian, medical, educational and emergency relief to the very poor, displaced and marginalized the Pope called to mind. The true importance, Santos says, is the balance of immediate material assistance, but also a lasting sense of hope, dignity and refuge. This is one of the most important lessons CNEWA has learned across a century of service. 

“Humanitarian assistance and human dignity must never be separated. When a family is hungry, we must feed them. When children are displaced, we must help provide safety and opportunities for education, but our responsibility cannot end once the immediate emergency has passed,” he said.

For CNEWA Canada, true refuge is helping people believe tomorrow can be different and walking alongside them as they work toward that future.

Other Catholic charities are taking Pope Leo XIV’s call to heart this year, like the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, which sees the occasion as a time to further educate the public about the needs of those they help, recruit new Vincentians and ensure the long-term viability of its service to the poor. 

As Pope Leo XIV pleaded this summer, while no one Catholic can erase the scourge of poverty and neglect by themselves, the World Day of the Poor is a moment to collectively ensure the cry of the poor is heard and looked after. 

Santos and the CNEWA team shared a similar plea. 

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“If there is one message we hope Canadian Catholics carry with them, it's that while we may not be able to end every conflict, eliminate every injustice or relieve every instance of suffering, we can ensure that those who suffer never have to face their struggles alone,” he said. 

“Perhaps that is where the refuge of God becomes most visible — in the simple, faithful and enduring love we extend to one another.” 

A version of this article appeared in the November 08, 2026 issue of The Catholic Register with the headline "God will not abandon the poor and suffering".