Catholic Relief Services

Today we celebrate St. Vincent de Paul, patron saint of charitable societies, whose life reminds us that faith is most powerful when it inspires us to serve others.

Did you know?

❤️ St. Vincent initially pursued the priesthood seeking a comfortable life. But after hearing the confession of a dying servant living in poverty, he experienced a profound change of heart that shaped the rest of his life.

🏥 He went on to found charitable organizations, including the Daughters of Charity, and used donations to provide healthcare, housing, employment opportunities and care for people experiencing poverty and illness.

🌎 His legacy lives on today through organizations like Catholic Relief Services and countless others, reaching millions of people in need with compassion, dignity and hope.

As we honor his feast day, may we follow his example by seeing Christ in our brothers and sisters who are struggling and responding with generosity and love.

St. Vincent de Paul, pray for us. 🙏

Imagine being a parent and not knowing where your child's next nutritious meal will come from. In Malawi, thousands of young children are at risk of malnutrition due to ongoing food shortages.

Through a partnership with local health clinics and the government, Catholic Relief Services is helping provide specialized nutrition support, health screenings and counseling for families with young children.

Since February, more than 13,000 children have enrolled in the program, and over 4,400 have already recovered enough to graduate from treatment.

As a child in San Salvador, Luis Fernando walked the streets of his community barefoot, never imagining he would one day return as an architect helping improve those same roads.

This Hispanic Heritage Month, read how one scholarship changed the course of his life and how he's now giving back to the community that believed in him. His story is a powerful reminder that investing in young people can transform entire communities.

Click the link in the first comment to read his story.

A flood or storm can change a family's life in an instant.

Through Catholic Relief Services' EMPOWER Emergency Rapid Response Fund, CRS, in collaboration with the NADMO Ghana (National Disaster Management Organization), Caritas Ghana, and Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocesan Development Organisation -Nabocado are helping more than 1,100 families get the support they need to recover.

This flexible emergency assistance allows families to address their most urgent needs and begin rebuilding their lives with dignity.

The EMPOWER Fund makes it possible to respond quickly when disaster strikes, providing timely support and hope to families facing difficult circumstances.

"I thought saving was only for people with a lot of money," says Ma. Oretha."Now I know that even small amounts can help me plan for my future, support my family, and grow my business."

In Bongarplay, Nimba County, Liberia, women and men are discovering that lasting change doesn't always begin with a large investment. Sometimes, it starts with a simple commitment to save together.

Through the Rural Savings for the Future project, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in Liberia has supported Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC) groups that help participants build financial confidence, access small loans, and support one another as they work toward their goals.

After months of saving together, members celebrated the end of another savings cycle by receiving the savings they had worked hard to build. For members, it was an opportunity to invest in small businesses, support their children's education, meet household needs, and plan for the months ahead.

For Ma. Oretha, the greatest benefit wasn't just the money she received.

"The group taught me to believe in myself," says Ma. Oretha."Today, I make plans on how to use my money."

Across rural Liberia, many women and men face barriers to economic opportunity. Through the Rural Savings for the Future project, participants strengthened financial habits, built resilience, and expanded opportunities for themselves and their families.

At CRS, we believe economic empowerment is about more than income. It's about providing people with the confidence, skills, and support they need to shape their own future. Because when rural communities save together, they don't just build stronger businesses; they help build stronger families, stronger communities, and a more hopeful tomorrow.

Congratulations to Sean Callahan, president and CEO of Catholic Relief Services, on receiving the Order of St. Gregory the Great, one of the highest honors the Catholic Church bestows on lay people.

This recognition reflects nearly 40 years of faithful service to people experiencing poverty and humanitarian crises around the world. We are grateful for his leadership and commitment to putting faith into action.