Greetings, my dear Family!

I pray this finds you well and filled with the peace of our Risen Lord!  I come to you with a humble invitation.

THE NATIONAL COMMISSION OF JUSTICE, PEACE AND INTEGRITY OF CREATION INVITES SECULAR FRANCISCANS TO JOIN IN A FAST FOR MORE COMPASSION FROM THE PEOPLE OF THE U. S. TOWARD THE MIGRANTS COMING TO OUR SOUTHERN BORDER.

This fast began on Mothers' Day, May 9 at the invitation of Jesuit Joe Mulligan, from Nicaragua (since 1986) and Little Brother of the Gospel, Joe Barnett, also in Nicaragua.  Over 60 Fasters from around the U. S. and other countries have been participating.

Originally, the Fast was to go from Mother’s Day through Pentecost, May 23, but we decided to extend it to May 31.  Now others want to join us and the Fast will be extended until the end of June. How great is our God!

This is a fast showing our love and compassion to those coming to our southern borders. 

Fasting can be done in a variety of ways:  24 hour Fast, multi-day Fast, Dawn to Dusk Fast, water only, liquids only, skipping a meal, etc.

Pope Francis has devoted the message for the 2021 World Day of Migrants and Refugees, Towards An Ever Wider “We”: “For the members of the Catholic Church, this appeal entails a commitment to becoming ever more faithful to our being “catholic”, as Saint Paul reminded the community in Ephesus: ‘There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism’ (Eph 4:4-5).”

If you cannot fast, please consider praying the Migrants Novena;. It would be wonderful to have all 30 regions represented in this time of fasting and prayer.

To sign up, please email Br. David Buer, OFM at buerofm @gmail and let him know what day(s) you want to Fast and what kind of Fast you plan on doing.  Please state your Fraternity and Region.  Each day you'll receive an email alerting you to who is Fasting that day.  We encourage Fasters to send in reflections from their time Fasting, that we could share with others on the Fast.

Thank you for your willingness to participate in this time of fasting and prayer for our migrant brothers and sisters. May the Risen Lord continue to grant you peace.

Wishing you blessings of peace and all good!

Carolyn D. Townes, OFS
National Animator, Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation
U.S. Secular Franciscan Order

"Live a Life Worthy of Your Call."  (OFS-USA 2021 Theme)