Call to Prayer for Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty

The U.S. Bishops are encouraging the faithful to pray and fast for the renewal of a culture of life and marriage and for protection of religious liberty. In particular, Catholics are invited to make a pledge to fast and abstain from meat on Fridays. Below are suggested intentions and reflections for the Friday fast.

Intention: We pray that we can continue to serve the poor and needy while living out the fullness of our faith.

Reflection: In his exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium. . . , Pope Francis urges Catholics and non-Catholics alike to serve the poorest among us. As Christians, we are called to serve Christ by serving and caring for our brothers and sisters. We do this every day in our schools, hospitals, and charitable organizations that seek to alleviate the suffering of the vulnerable.

Did You Know? Each year, the President declares January 16th to be Religious Freedom Day. . . , which commemorates the landmark adoption in 1786 of the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom, drafted by Thomas Jefferson. The goal of this day is to promote and protect religious expression and to "observe this day through appropriate events and activities in homes, schools, and places of worship."

from: http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/new-evangelization/year-of-faith/call-to-prayer-friday-fast-intentions-and-reflections.cfm