"Live the Fast" kit

A non-profit organization that provides nutritious breads and educational materials to promote prayer and fasting, has announced that it will lead a prayer and fasting novena for Pope Francis's upcoming visit to the USA next month.

Live the Fast is sponsoring theFast4Francis program which is an opportunity for participants to embrace the Pope's visit as an invitation to a deeper faith life and to pray for his safe travel leading up to and throughout his visit to the USA.

"Prayers and fasting together are powerful tools used in preparation for important events,” said Darcie Nielsen, Assistant Director of Live the Fast. "This is a proactive effort to stimulate a fervent environment of prayer and faith for our Holy Father's visit."

The Fast4Francis novena will take place September 18-26, the nine days leading up to the pope's arrival in Philadelphia. Anyone from any faith may take part in the nine day fast.

There are various tracks of fasting that participants can take part in. All tracks involve giving up certain foods, praying the prayers of the novena and taking part in a sacrament. There are five tracks tailored to the various levels of fasting from (Track 1) giving up coffee to Track 5 (bread and water fast). Since prayer, fasting and almsgiving are inseparable, participants are invited to also choose one of the Works of Mercy. For those who cannot fast, spending more time in prayer and/or adoration are ideal alternatives. Fasting can also entail giving up social media or television.

Pope Francis said, "Fasting makes sense if it really chips away at our security and, as a consequence, benefits someone else, if it helps us cultivate the style of the good Samaritan, who bent down to his brother in need and took care of him."

For those interested in doing bread and water fasts (for Fast4Francis and for fasting throughout the year), fasting breads by Live the Fast are made with unbleached and untreated flour, with no additives and preservatives and with flavorful, nourishing ingredients that will help one maintain a bread and water fast.

To sign up for Fast4Francis reminder emails and for more information, resources and prayers, check out the event's website.

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