(ZENIT News / Vatican City, 07.10.2024).- On Monday, October 7, on the occasion of the World Day of Fasting and Prayer for Peace, the Dicastery for Charity seconded the Pope’s initiative, asking the participants in the General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops — who are in the Vatican in October to address the topic of Synodality in the Church –, for alms.
“Prayer and fasting cannot be done without alms, which must make us suffer, even wound us, because we give up what belongs to us to give it to others who are in difficulties or even about to die,” read a press release of the Dicastery for Charity” adding that “It is right that this afternoon we undertake a collection among all the members of the Synod.”
And the alms were given. Before the beginning of the afternoon session of Monday the 7th, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, His Holiness’ Almoner, stood with a basket in front of the main entrance of Paul VI Hall to collect alms to be sent directly to the parish priest in Gaza, whom the Holy Father has called every day over the past year, to support the community that lives and gathers around the Church (Christians, Muslims and Jews alike).
In asking for alms, the Pope’s Almoner anticipated to the 300 Synod participants to be “well prepared.”
