Catholics across the globe are being urged to offer up their penitential fast upon Ash Wednesday, March 2, for peace in 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,” said Pope Francis during his General Audience in Rome, February 23.

The Holy Father appealed to those “with political responsibility to examine their consciences seriously before God, who is the God of peace and not of war, who is the Father of all, not just of some, who wants us to be brothers and not enemies.”

Ash Wednesday is an obligatory day of fasting and abstinence for Catholics.

For members of the Western or Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards.

Members of the Eastern Catholic Churches, such as the Ukrainian Catholic Church, observe their own particular laws on fasting and abstinence.

Our Lady, Queen of Peace, pray for us!