In mid-April, the Ministers General of the Franciscan Family wrote a letter in which they propose establishing a ‘Week of the Poor’ to take place November 9 to 15, 2026. The letter, written while reflecting on the 800th anniversary of the Transitus of St. Francis, encourages Franciscans to focus on the poor and all forms of poverty.
The Ministers General were inspired by the ‘Mission of the Poor’, which is being organized in Rome that same week, and coincides with World Day of the Poor.
Six points are offered that can be used as inspiration in organizing a ‘Week of the Poor.’
- Moving towards poverty
- Listening: let the poor speak
- The educational dimension
- Prayer as the heart of mission
- Collaboration with other entities: a mission approach
- The prophetic sign at the end of the mission
The invitation to join in celebrating a ‘Week of the Poor’ is offered with great joy. The Ministers General ‘wish to bear witness that it is possible, even today, to give voice to the reality of the poor, to listen to them rather than simply speak about them, and to carry out together a prophetic gesture that tells the Church and society that the preferential option for the poor is not an optional choice, but belongs to the very essence of our Franciscan charism and of being Christians.’
More information and links to the letter (in English, Italian, Polish, Spanish, French, and Portuguese) is available at https://www.ofmconv.net/en/lettera-per-la-settimana-dei-poveri-2026/
