Pope Shenouda III speaks about caring for orphans, explaining their types, needs, and the common mistakes in dealing with them. He places strong emphasis on the psychological and spiritual support required to provide a loving family-like environment that compensates for what they have lost.

✨ Spiritual and Educational Meanings

1. Orphans in the Heart of Pure Religion

His Holiness affirms that visiting orphans and widows is a core element of pure and undefiled religion before God, as stated in the Epistle of St. James.

2. Understanding the Types of Orphans

He presents three groups:

• Children who lost one or both parents

• Children of extremely poor families unable to support them

• Foundlings

All of them live in a closed community requiring specialized care.

3. Psychological Needs

His Holiness emphasizes that orphans lack the natural family atmosphere, therefore they need:

• Affection, acceptance, and security

• Humane treatment far from harsh or humiliating punishments

• To avoid being reminded that they live on donations

• To be freed from the stigma of being “orphanage children”

4. Mistakes Found in Some Institutions

Among the main mistakes:

• Using children in advertisements or fundraising

• Displaying them publicly as cases or images

• Imposing strict systems without considering their emotions

• Lack of spiritual supervision or loving guidance

• Assigning them demeaning tasks or responsibilities beyond their age

5. Educational and Developmental Needs

His Holiness stresses the need to:

• Follow up on their academic progress

• Provide lessons and support

• Integrate them into Sunday School and regular schools without discrimination

6. The Importance of Spiritual Fatherhood and Motherhood

Workers in orphanages must:

• Have a wide and patient heart

• Offer parental love

• Support children psychologically and spiritually

7. The Future of the Orphan

It is essential to consider:

• What happens when they reach ages 16 or 18

• How to equip them for work and study

• Ensuring they are not left without shelter or care after leaving the institution

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