Tibor Kauser and Pope Francis

Catholic and Franciscan leaders throughout the world are issuing calls to fast and pray on Ash Wednesday for peace in Ukraine.

Pope Francis has designated Ash Wednesday as a Day of Prayer and Fasting for Ukraine.

“I encourage believers in a special way to dedicate themselves intensely to prayer and fasting on that day. May the Queen of Peace preserve the world from the madness of war,” Pope Francis said.

Tibor Kauser, OFS General Minister, issued the same request along with a letter of solidarity to the people of Ukraine.

“I invite you, dear brothers and sisters, to strengthen our unity with each other, with the whole Franciscan family, and with the Catholic Church by joining the prayer of Pope Francis for peace on Ash Wednesday,” Kauser said.

You can read the Pope’s announcement and a full text of all of the letters at the links below.

https://secularfranciscansusa.org/2022/02/28/pope-and-franciscan-world-leaders-appeal-for-prayers-and-fasting-on-ash-wednesday-in-solidarity-with-our-ukranian-brothers-and-sisters/

It all started when Susan Tabor, OFS, and Janice Benton, OFS, shared a dream with each other. That dream, based on their shared vision of fully accessible events and materials, such as Braille and large print, and inspired by our call to value the inherent dignity of every person, led to an idea of how we might help others in this area. […]https://secularfranciscansusa.org/2022/02/26/franciscans-called-to-pray-for-peace-in-ukraine-on-ash-wednesday/