Jubilee for those experiencing poverty
Wednesday 12th November 20252025 marks a Jubilee Year for the Church – a special time of renewal, mercy, and hope.
Within this context, our diocesan charity, Caritas Salford has prepared this resource to help parishes, schools, and individuals respond faithfully to the pressing realities of poverty in our communities.
Sunday 16 November 2025 will mark the ninth World Day of the Poor, which Pope Leo has centred on the theme: “You are my hope.”
This theme challenges us to see Christ in those experiencing poverty and to walk alongside them with dignity and love. Also, in his first Apostolic Exhortation – Dilexi te (I have loved you), Pope Leo has urged the Church to renew its commitment to the poor by showing Christ’s love in concrete acts of solidarity, justice, and service.
The need is urgent.
In Greater Manchester and Lancashire, more than 333,000 children are living in poverty today.
Our recent report on child poverty in our Catholic schools revealed that more than 95 per cent of respondents had seen an increase in the number of children affected in the last three years, with 35 per cent reporting a significant rise.
This Jubilee resource has been compiled to:
- Inspire prayer and reflection, rooting our action in the Gospel and Catholic social teaching
- Offer practical ideas for parish action, from small first steps to larger initiatives.
- Signpost to Caritas Salford and other local services that provide direct support.
- Share stories and case studies of hope from within our communities.
- Encourage advocacy and campaigning, so together we can address the causes of poverty as well as its symptoms.
Our vision is for a society of justice and equality, where the voices of those experiencing poverty, disadvantage, or discrimination are heard, valued, and acted upon—so that all may live in peace and dignity.
We hope this resource will be a helpful companion during this Jubilee Year and beyond, enabling parish communities to put faith into action with hope and courage.
Resources
For the full resource from Caritas Salford, please click here.
To read Pope Leo’s message for the ninth World Day of the Poor, please click here.
Prayer
God of love and compassion,
We bring before You all our brothers and sisters who live with the many faces of poverty:
Those without food, warmth or safe housing;
Those burdened by debt, insecure work or illness;
Those who are lonely, excluded or made to feel that their voices do not matter.
We pray for parents, carers and families striving to give their children hope for a better future;
For older people who feel forgotten;
For refugees and migrants seeking safety and dignity;
For those who struggle in silence with mental health challenges or addictions.
May Your Holy Spirit strengthen and encourage them,
Helping them to know that they are loved, valued and never alone.
Bless all who walk alongside them—parishes, charities and communities of goodwill—
So that together we may open pathways out of poverty and build a society rooted in justice and peace.
We make this prayer through Your Son,
Our Lord Jesus Christ, who became poor for our sake so that we might know the riches of Your love.
Amen.
Tagged | Caritas Salford | Jubilee 2025 | Jubilee of Jubilees
