As a bloody civil war rages in Syria, Pope Francis has called on Catholics around the world to fast on behalf of the Syrian people, and University students plan to take part in the movement.
Bob Stine, pastor of Christ the King Parish and Catholic Center, explained how a fast — abstaining from food as an act of humility — can help bring relief in times of war.
In response to the pope’s call to action, Stine will host a special prayer service at the center on Friday at 11:45 a.m.
“The idea is to raise awareness and to recognize our solidarity with people throughout the world who are suffering. … We are all brothers and sisters in Christ,” Stine said.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a website run by Syrians that documents Human Rights violations in the county, the death toll is now more than 110,000 and climbing each day.
Speaking from St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City on Sunday, Pope Francis denounced the use of chemical weapons and violence that has plagued Syria in recent times.
“With utmost firmness, I condemn the use of chemical weapons,” Pope Francis said. “I tell you that those terrible images from recent days are burned into my mind and heart.”
Stine said he wants Catholic members of the University to not only be aware of the issue but to exercise their faith as well.
“It is an awareness-raising thing that the pope wants to do and a prayer issue,” Stine said
To some, fasting might be a foreign concept, but in the religious world it’s a common practice. Stine said that fasting is seen as a way to focus on something more than personal needs. By skipping a meal or two, people are showing a willingness to think of the suffering of others and to remember that there are others less fortunate than themselves, Stine said.
He said he hopes University students will take part in the fast in any way that they can.
“There are all different kinds of ways you can do a fast,” Stine said.
“Skip lunch, not eat from sunrise to sunset. But the general guideline is only one full meal a day or two smaller meals.”
Biology senior Daniel DePaula said if everyone participated in a meaningful fast for Syria, God and others would take notice, especially those around campus.
“Going through the day you might think about the food, but then you remember who you are doing it for,” DePaula said.
Pope Francis gives his thumb up as he leaves at the end of his weekly general audience in St. Peter's square at the Vatican, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013. (AP Photo/Riccardo De Luca)
