7 September

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Julie_de_Sales

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I have 2 questions and I would grately appreciate a fast answer. Saturday will be a day of fast and prayer for peace in the world. This call of the Holy Father is under mortal sin? And the other question is if we have to practice also abstinence (not eating meat) during this day. Thank you very much! 🙂
 
The fast for Syria on Saturday does not bind under pain of mortal sin, but it is strongly encouraged. There is also no obligation to give up meat.

Your fast doesn’t even necessarily need to be from food. A Facebook friend of mine and his wife plan to give up using the computer for the day, in lieu of fasting from food.

The most important thing is to PRAY.
 
MrZoom. Appreciate your reply as I am going to my only nephews wedding on 7th and fasting from food would be a problem. I can pray and work something else out. When the Pope issues a rallying call, I want to do my bit.
 
The fasting and prayer is from 7pm until midnight unless I read it wrong.
 
For those curious, more information on this is also available through the USCCB website:
Day Of Fasting And Prayer For Peace In Syria
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Pope Francis has called for a Day of Fasting and Prayer for Peace in Syria, the Middle East, and the world to be held on September 7, 2013, the vigil of the birth of Mary, Queen of Peace. The Holy Father reminds us that “peace is a precious gift, which must be promoted and protected” and that "all men and women of good will are bound by the task of pursuing peace.
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usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/global-issues/middle-east/syria/day-of-fasting-and-prayer-for-syria.cfm
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Correct me if I’m wrong, but a day of fasting means to eat less or nothing, right?

I thought “abstinence” meant no meat.
 
Avila123 said:
MrZoom. Appreciate your reply as I am going to my only nephews wedding on 7th and fasting from food would be a problem. I can pray and work something else out. When the Pope issues a rallying call, I want to do my bit.
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Perhaps you can abstain from the cake and get some in a box to take home for the next day? 🙂
 
Ah, shoot. There’s a potluck I was supposed to attend that day :confused:

Oh well, good sacrifice for those in Syria!
 
Julie_de_Sales said:
I have 2 questions and I would grately appreciate a fast answer. Saturday will be a day of fast and prayer for peace in the world. This call of the Holy Father is under mortal sin?
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I has been noted by others who judge well these things out there -that no --it is not “an obligation” --but of course let us pray and fast! Let us heed his urgent call.
 
The Latin Church rule for fasting is that we can eat one full meal as well as two smaller meals, that together comprise less than the main meal. No snacking is allowed. It’s really a loose guideline because personally, three meals for me is a lot of eating in one day! But if you have a canonically prescribed fast day such as Ash Wednesday, those are the only rules to follow. Naturally, you can choose to set stricter rules for yourself if it helps you spiritually. Personally, I prefer to eat nothing but one modest meal on a fast day. That does it for me.

But in reality, all rules are irrelevant since this is not a canonical fast day. Make up your own rules about what constitutes fasting. As it has been mentioned, you don’t need to fast from food, you can fast from the Internet or from social gatherings or whatever else might be meaningful to you. If you have a spiritual director, it would be best to get an idea from him what you should do that would best suit your spiritual journey and state in life.
 
I was shocked and confused by the Pope’s request. It seemed odd, and inconsistent. Why now why Syria? As an American I actually kind of think we should respond militarily to the use of chemical weapons after repeated warnings. Not only are future strikes by any number of countries at stake but also the idea of backing up what we have said we would do for decades. As much as it sickens me to agree with anything our current president does I actually can see the logic of a strike. The American in me says kick some behind and take some names!

But then I started thinking, Pope Francis is not a politician. In fact he is quite unskilled at political and diplomatic things. So I do not think he is politicking or picking a political side.

There must be something more. There must be something that I do not see. A bigger picture that is spiritual in nature.

I honestly believe that with the consecration of the world to the Immaculate Heart coming up, and the Pope’s call for this day of prayer and fasting that there is an immediate spiritual crisis at this time in history.

I will be fasting and praying for the Pope’s concern and I will follow the lead of my Shepherd. I may not understand, I may not even agree. But I have to trust.
 
Hoosier_Daddy said:
I was shocked and confused by the Pope’s request. It seemed odd, and inconsistent. Why now why Syria? As an American I actually kind of think we should respond militarily to the use of chemical weapons after repeated warnings. Not only are future strikes by any number of countries at stake but also the idea of backing up what we have said we would do for decades. As much as it sickens me to agree with anything our current president does I actually can see the logic of a strike. The American in me says kick some behind and take some names!

But then I started thinking, Pope Francis is not a politician. In fact he is quite unskilled at political and diplomatic things. So I do not think he is politicking or picking a political side.

There must be something more. There must be something that I do not see. A bigger picture that is spiritual in nature.

I honestly believe that with the consecration of the world to the Immaculate Heart coming up, and the Pope’s call for this day of prayer and fasting that there is an immediate spiritual crisis at this time in history.

I will be fasting and praying for the Pope’s concern and I will follow the lead of my Shepherd. I may not understand, I may not even agree. But I have to trust.
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Maybe the Pope is trying to prevent the total genocide of Christians in the Middle East given that all so-called western military intervention has resulted in arming and supporting groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood and others. Thousands upon thousands of Christians have been murdered, tortured or forced to flee their homes because a bad government or leader has been replaced by even worse ones by the secular west.
 
as fasting is extremely stressful for me (long story), I also worried whether or not it is obligatory under pain of sin. A priest who has been directing me for a long time could help me and reassure me.
The way I udnerstand it now is that it is not obligatory but a strong invitation. It is certainly good to do it, but not a sin not to. And if for somebody like me it is a health concern or causes extreme stress, then I don’t have to fast if not obligatory. But can incorporate other things into the day, like the most obvious, remembering Syria in prayer.
 
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