Around the globe, the Catholic Church will celebrate the World Day of the Poor on 14 November.

Father Motto has prepared an excellent reflection which will be very useful for all members ofour Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, and for all the other branches of the Vincentian Family. It isnot lengthy, but is a very profound and knowledgeable piece. Going from the Introduction tothe Conclusion, it is divided into three, very well-written parts: Jesus and the poor; Vincent andthe poor; Ozanam and the poor. At the end, there is a list of 10 suggestions for a more focusedway of living the World Day of the Poor, serving those who suffer in more practical ways. I knowthat we are presently living through a health crisis, but the suggestions can be implemented withoutanxiety, always respecting safety protocols.

Father Motto’s text is incredibly rich, but at the same time, easy to understand, full of exampleswith scripture quotations or references to major writers, not just Catholic and Vincentian, linkedto human history. It is pleasant, encouraging and, above all, very comforting to read Fr AndrésMotto’s words. He always teaches us to live our Vincentian charism with prayer and action, like St.Vincent and our leaders and founders, through Ozanam. We can never lose sight of our servants,our loved ones, our friends and our masters -the poor- who open to us the gates of Heaven.

May this WORLD DAY OF THE POOR help us achieve the aims proposed by Pope Francisin this world, helping us to build a more fraternal, fairer civil society, since the poor you willalways have with you (Mk 14:7).

Brother Renato Lima de Oliveira

16th President General