WASHINGTON, D.C., March 15, 2013 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is asking Catholics to fast today, Friday, March 15, for the intention of all those “who help to build a Culture of Life.”
In particular, the bishops are asking the faithful to pray that “even in the midst of trials, the Lord would strengthen [pro-life workers’] faith and help them know His saving power.”
The call to fasting and prayer is part of the USCCB’s response to the Catholic Church’s “Year of Faith,” which was called by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
Each Friday throughout the year Catholics are being asked to fast and abstain from meat as part of an overall effort to promote “the renewal of a culture of life and marriage and for protection of religious liberty.” Other recent intentions have included for “all people of faith who fight to preserve religious freedom,” and for the U.S. Supreme Court justices, that “they would uphold the authentic meaning of marriage as the union of one man and one woman.”
Those who are interested in joining the spiritual effort can sign a pledge on the USCCB website here.
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Today’s intention also encourages Catholics to call on the power of angels to assist the pro-life effort.
“Angels are powerful and invisible spiritual beings tasked with doing God's work; this includes assisting our efforts to spread the truth about the dignity of human life,” states the intention.
“No matter the time or the place, we can pray to the angels for their help in protecting life and illuminating the minds of those involved in efforts against life.”
The “reflection” for the day encourages Catholics to be hopeful even when “tempted to feel discouraged when it appears as though evil has defeated good.”
“Even within our suffering we find the opportunity to grow in an awareness of who we are as [God’s] creation,” says the reflection, “we are His children, utterly and completely dependent on Him, and in this there is great freedom.
It concludes, “So, let us lay our burdens at the foot of the Cross, recognizing that even when it ‘appears’ as though evil has triumphed, Easter Sunday always follows Good Friday (even if it doesn't look as we might expect)!”