November 23.  Widows and orphans are commonly mentioned in the Bible as being poor and needy.  We often think of grandmothers caring for grandchildren who are orphaned, having lost one or both parents.  That isn’t always the case and there are also child-headed families of orphans who have lost the love and support of a parent, financially, psychologically, emotionally and spiritually.  Do we in our extended families and parishes offer the practical and spiritual support all the bereaved need, so that they will remain close to God and not feel angry and rejected in their hardship?

Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasure and he saw a poor widow put in two copper coins. He said, “this poor widow has put in more than all of them; out of her poverty she put in all the living that she had.” Luke 21:1-4. 

Pope  Francis: In addition to the small circle of the couple and their children there is the larger family.  This family should provide love and support to teenage mothers, children without parents, single mothers, persons with disabilities, young people struggling with addiction, the unmarried, separated o widowed who are alone and the elderly and infirm who lack the support of their children. AL197