The Eucharist and Hunger.
On the southern fringe of the Sahara Desert, the Sahel region spans Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Sudan and Eritrea. In the Sahel, temperatures are high and rain is uncommon. In 1976, during a long drought, crops failed, livestock was lost and a lack of food threatened the lives of millions of our sisters and brothers.
It was in that same year that Catholics from around the world participated in the 41st International Eucharistic Congress held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The theme of the Congress, “The Eucharist and the Hungers of the Human Family,” emphasized the central role of the Eucharist in addressing the spiritual, emotional and physical needs of people, particularly in the context of challenges such as hunger, poverty and social injustice.
“The Eucharist is a mystery of love. It makes all of us who eat the same bread into a single body, living by means of one spirit. It makes us one family—brothers and sisters united in solidarity with one another.”
—Saint Paul VI
The Eucharist makes visible our communion with our sisters and brothers and our shared responsibility as one human family. As Catholics, we believe no person should go hungry; however, our world is currently facing levels of hunger that experts believe could be the new normal. That’s why it is more important than ever for us to recommit each Lent—and throughout the year—to supporting our global family experiencing these challenges.
As we near the end of these 40 days, let us reflect on what our Lenten journey has meant for us and how the pillars of prayer, fasting and almsgiving impact not only our lives but also the lives of our sisters and brothers in our local community and around the world. As we strive to live in true global solidarity and are nourished by the Bread of Life, let us share bread for life to ensure everyone has enough to eat amid this global food crisis. When we come together to tackle hunger, there is no limit to what we can achieve.
This Lent, try one of our meatless recipes from around the world.
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