"THROUGHOUT HISTORY, CATHOLICS IN TIMES OF NEED HAVE TURNED TO GOD THROUGH PRAYER AND FASTING, AS THESE PRACTICES ALLOW US TO GROW CLOSER TO THE LORD, INSPIRE US TO DO HIS WILL AND INVOKE HIS PROTECTION IN ANSWER TO OUR PRAYERS.
During the Fridays of Lent, the faithful are obliged to abstain from eating meat. On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, Catholics are also asked to fast - eating only one full meal, and, if necessary, two much smaller meals - to aid our spiritual life. Recognizing the efficacy of prayer and fasting as well as the challenges we face in overcoming the recent attack on our religious freedom, we, the Bishops of Pennsylvania, request that all Catholics dedicate the regular Lenten Friday practice of prayer and abstinence as well as the additional practice of fasting on Friday, March 30, to the preservation of religious liberty. On that day, offer your sacrifice for the cause of religious liberty, that the Church may be granted the basic right to practice what she preaches, and for our political leaders, that their eyes may be opened to the rights of all Americans, including those of faith. WE WILL JOIN WITH THE OVER 3 MILLION CATHOLICS IN PENNSYLVANIA TO MARK THIS DAY OF PRAYER, FASTING AND ABSTINENCE FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY."
Credit: just-wicca.blogspot.com
