5 Ways Pope Francis Supports CRS Rice Bowl (Through His Words)

Okay, maybe Pope Francis didn’t literally say, “Do CRS Rice Bowl this Lent.” But, if you’ve read his 2017 Lenten Message, then you know that he does want us to use these 40 days to build a “culture of encounter.” And we’re pretty sure he’d agree that CRS Rice Bowl can help us all do just that. Below, we reflect on the pope’s words and offer a few ideas for responding them through CRS Rice Bowl.

1. “Lent is a favorable season for deepening our spiritual life through the means of sanctification offered us by the Church: fasting, prayer and almsgiving.”

​Prayer, fasting and almsgiving are foundational to Lent—and to CRS Rice Bowl. Through simple, meatless meals, daily reflections and an opportunity to give to help others, CRS Rice Bowl embodies these Lenten spiritual pillars in a way that’s accessible to Catholics young and old. One way we make Lenten spirituality accessible is through our app. Download it now.

2. “Instead of being an instrument at our service for doing good and showing solidarity towards others, money can chain us and the entire world to a selfish logic that leaves no room for love and hinders peace.”

​Lent provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the chains in our lives that keep us from loving our neighbor, whether that’s money, unhealthy habits or something else. CRS Rice Bowl challenges us to free ourselves from our chains, and instead provide better futures for the most vulnerable members of our human family. Give now.

3. “The Word of God helps us to open our eyes to welcome and love life, especially when it is weak and vulnerable. But in order to do this, we have to take seriously what the Gospel tells us about the rich man.”

Throughout our country, CRS Rice Bowl helps Catholics in the United States encounter new people, places and experiences with open eyes and open hearts. We bring the stories of individuals, families and communities from faraway countries into our schools and homes. Read new Stories of Hope and prepare simple meals from around the world.

4. “Lent is the favorable season for renewing our encounter with Christ, living in his Word, in the sacraments and in our neighbor.”

Every Lent, we’re challenged to grow in our relationship with Christ, to come to know him better —his struggles, his joys, his invitations. One traditional way to do this during Lent is to walk with Jesus on his road to Calvary. Watch our “Stations of the Cross Digital Retreats."

5. “I encourage all the faithful to express this spiritual renewal also by sharing in the Lenten campaigns promoted by many Church organizations in different parts of the world, and thus to favor the culture of encounter in our one human family.”

At the end of the day, we’re each called to respond to Pope Francis’ invitation to build the culture of encounter in our own unique ways. We hope CRS Rice Bowl can be a part of your Lenten journey, as we all encounter ourselves, our neighbors and our God anew. Sign up for emails to stay up-to-date with CRS Rice Bowl.

Bonus! While Pope Francis may not have actually asked us to participate in CRS Rice Bowl explicitly, Pope Paul VI did! He encouraged Catholics in the U.S. to participate in CRS Rice Bowl back in 1977. Read his message.