uring August, Pope Francis asks us to pray for families. Because as he says, the family is one of the most precious assets of humanity. But it is also the most vulnerable.

“When a family is exposed to economic, health, or other difficulties,” the Holy Father says, “the children grow up in an environment of sadness.”

The Pope’s prayer intention for August is that families in need receive the necessary support, and that children grow up in a healthy and conducive environment.

“Let us pray that families, through their life of prayer and love, become ever more clearly schools of true human development,” he says.

Here at the Archdiocese of Durban, we have a beautiful Prayer Card with our own special Prayer for Families. Please download it by filling in the form alongside.

We also ask for your prayers for the many children on the Zulu Missions who are growing up without the love and support of a family. In poor rural communities like the Valley of a Thousand Hills, households of orphaned children are common, and fatherless households even more numerous.

The church’s response is to set up Drop-in Centres – places where these little ones can get something to eat before going to school, and leave younger siblings in safe care. After school, there’s help with homework, and caring adults to provide advice and support.

Our St Theresa’s, St Philomena’s and St John Vianney Homes provide loving care and shelter for abandoned, orphaned and neglected children, whilst the Streetwise rescue and rehabilitation project is aimed at reuniting street children with their families, or placing them in good foster homes.

All the children we reach through these and other programmes require nutritious food, clothing and education. And it’s donations from caring people like you that make all this possible.

Please click the button below to give children in need a loving environment in which to grow, and all the basic necessities they need. Thank you.