The Archdiocese of Yangon in Myanmar marked the Jubilee of the Poor on Saturday, November 15, 2025, uniting over 800 members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in a call to deepen their service to the most vulnerable.

Held at the historic St. Mary’s Cathedral, the day blended prayer, thanksgiving, and a stark reminder from Church leaders that true discipleship is measured by love for the marginalized.

His Excellency Bishop Francis Than Htun, presiding over the solemn Eucharistic Celebration, set the tone in his homily. He echoed recent reflections from Pope Leo XIV on the severe gap between the rich and poor, stating, “today the rich are so rich and the poor are so poor.”

Drawing from the Pope’s Apostolic Exhortation, Dilexi Te (I have loved you), Bishop Francis framed charity as an act of humility. “As we give, we are not the masters,” he shared, reminding the congregation that all gifts come from God. He emphasized that the poor, too, have a gift to offer: their prayers.

The bishop pointed to the dual legacies of St. Vincent de Paul, who knew poverty firsthand, and Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, who came from wealth but founded the Society. Their lives, he said, prove that background is irrelevant; what matters are “concrete acts of love.”

His message was amplified by Cardinal Charles Bo, who addressed the assembly before the final blessing. The Cardinal issued a bold challenge, quoting a well-known maxim: “If military spending were reduced by even 10%, there would be no poor.” He stressed that Christ is present not only in the Eucharist but also “in every poor person,” urging attendees to find joy in their mission and to never grow weary.

The spiritual director for the Society in Yangon, Rev. Fr. Savarimuthu Sein Htun, called for a “renewed disposition” from both Church and State to eradicate poverty.

The event also served as a reminder of the Society’s profound impact. Marie Daw Khin Thet, President of the St. Vincent de Paul Association in Yangon, detailed its global reach—operating in 155 countries and serving over 30 million people. In Myanmar, the Society began in 1883, was revived in 1978, and is now present in two archdioceses and ten dioceses, including 47 conferences in the Archdiocese of Yangon.

The day was given a human face as three beneficiaries shared heartfelt testimonies of the support they received during times of dire need.

As the celebration concluded with Eucharistic Adoration and a shared meal, the message was clear: in the face of ongoing hardship, the call to serve is both a duty and a path to encountering the divine.

By RVA Sgaw Karen Service