On, the 5th Sunday of Lent, we celebrate across the country Development and Peace’s Solidarity Sunday. The theme this year is “Stand for the Land”.
On March 26, every Christian community is invited to pray for more justice and peace in the world, to bear witness to Development and Peace‘s humanitarian work, to stand in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in need, and to make a donation to the Share Lent campaign.
LEARN: More about Development and Peace
DONATE: Support Development and Peace
For 55 years, human dignity and social justice have been at the heart of the projects and programs of Development and Peace – the official international solidarity organization of the Catholic Church in Canada.
“Development and Peace transforms lives by appealing to consciences here in Canada about the root causes of poverty and ensuring that its partners and the communities thet serve in the Global South can take charge of their own development,” said Bishop Raymond Poisson, president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Archbishop Richard Smith will celebrate Mass on the occasion of Solidarity Sunday. The Mass will be livestreamed from St. Edmund’s parish in Edmonton. Mass can be viewed on Facebook and YouTube.
READ: Letter from Archbishop Smith
Stand For The Land
In its reflection on this year’s theme, Development and Peace explains: “Land is essential to human life. It is the key to food sovereignty, biodiversity and human dignity. In his messages to popular movements, Pope Francis has continued to highlight land, work and housing as the main, interconnected social issues of our time. In a world that reduces land to raw material, we must rediscover a spirituality of the land, one that appreciates the gifts of the land and comes alongside those who are defending it from abuse.”
READ: Minimagazine of Development And Peace
READ: Stand for the Land: A Faith-Based Reflection
In his message for Lent 2023, Pope Francis encourages us to listen to what Jesus wants to tell us through the Scriptures and our neighbour.
He emphasizes that the Lord speaks to us through our brothers and sisters, especially in the faces and stories of those in need.
READ: Message of Pope Francis for Lent 2023