Call to Prayer: Pledge to Fast

Pledge to fast during the Call to Prayer

The U.S. Bishops are encouraging Catholics throughout the country to offer their Friday acts of sacrifice and penance, and particularly to abstain from meat and fast on Fridays, for the intention of the protection of Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty.

Answer this call to prayer, penance, and sacrifice by making a pledge to abstain from meat and to fast on Fridays.

Sign your name to the online pledge below, and join your spiritual and bodily sacrifice with others in the Church for these intentions.

Encourage others to join the movement by sharing this page and our Facebook page with them!

Check out the current and archived weekly intentions and reflections!

Take the Pledge!

I pledge to join the bishops' call to prayer by fasting and abstaining from meat on Fridays for the intention of the protection of Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty.

Join Your Fellow Pledgers

*A note on fasting and abstinence: As penitential practices, fasting and abstinence unites us to the redemptive suffering and death of the Lord. Latin Church Catholics in the United States are especially encouraged to abstain from meat on all Fridays throughout the year, in remembrance of the day Christ died for our salvation, and to observe fasting during the weekdays of Lent. Both fasting and abstinence are, however, obligatory on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Abstinence from meat is further required on the Fridays during Lent, unless a solemnity falls on a Friday. The norm consists of abstaining from meat; it does not exclude eggs, milk products, or sauces made with animal fats. There are many forms of fasting. The norm consists of eating only one full meal each day; two smaller meals may also be taken, as needed, but not to equal a full meal. Some Catholics may elect to observe a literal all-day fast, or give up particular foods or drinks in addition to their abstinence from meat. Please consult a priest if you have further questions. See Fasting & Abstinence page.