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(LifeSiteNews) — The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) wants the faithful to spend tomorrow in prayer and fasting for peace in the Holy Land amid an ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
“We join Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and all the Ordinaries of the Holy Land in calling for a day of fasting, abstinence, and prayer on October 17th,” the USCCB wrote on X on October 12.
We join Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and all the Ordinaries of the Holy Land in calling for a day of fasting, abstinence, and prayer on October 17th. Read Cardinal Pizzaballa’s statement at: https://t.co/MPh9cIvI4c pic.twitter.com/a1rR08w795
— U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (@USCCB) October 12, 2023
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, asked his flock to spend Tuesday, October 17, in prayer and fasting, suggesting that Catholics pray the Rosary and spend time in adoration.
“On behalf of all the Ordinaries of the Holy Land, I invite all parishes and religious communities to a day of fasting and prayer for peace and reconciliation,” Cardinal Pizzaballa wrote on October 11, as previously reported by LifeSiteNews.
“We ask that on Tuesday, October 17, everyone hold a day of fasting, abstinence, and prayer. Let us organize prayer times with Eucharistic adoration and with the recitation of the Rosary to Our Blessed Virgin Mary,” he wrote. “Although most probably in many parts of our dioceses circumstances will not permit large gatherings, it is possible to organize simple and sober common moments of prayer in parishes, religious communities, and families.”
It is important to pray and fast during this time of “political and military crisis” and “unprecedented violence,” the cardinal said.
“The hatred, which we have unfortunately already been experiencing for too long, will increase even more, and the ensuing spiral of violence will create more destruction,” he wrote, explaining his call for prayer and fasting. “Everything seems to speak of death.”
He noted that through prayer and fasting, “we all come together despite everything, and unite collectively in prayer, to deliver to God the Father our thirst for peace, justice, and reconciliation.”
Bishop Joseph Strickland of the Diocese of Tyler, Texas, also supports the call for prayer and fasting.
The Israel-Hamas war began on Saturday, October 7, after Hamas massacred and kidnapped civilians in Israel.
“The war … has become the deadliest of five Gaza wars for both sides, with more than 4,000 dead,” according to the Associated Press.
LifeSiteNews is asking its readers to join a prayer pledge in union with the Catholic leaders in Jerusalem. Please sign up today to pray and fast on October 17 for an end to violence and bloodshed in the land of Christ’s birth.