Here again: Generation S’ 24-hour fast

In a few days, Lent will be here again. This is a season of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, all with the aim of drawing us into surrender, repentance and new life in Christ.

Associated with Lent in the Archdiocese of Port of Spain over the past three years is the Generation S’ 24-hour fast. Yes, you read correctly, 24 hours!

Lenten fasting and self-sacrifice is counter-cultural; it goes against the media-driven culture that says: Consume! Buy! Consume! Buy! Fasting allows us to gain control of our desires and hand over the controls, so to speak, to Almighty God.

The 24-hour fast challenges our young people to engage in the ultimate sacrifice of no food for 24 hours (water is allowed). The idea behind this fast is summed up in its annual theme: Sacrifice for something bigger than yourself.

This annual fast attempts to draw our youths into a culture of doing without for the sake of others. We also believe that self-sacrifice is the soil in which a seed of a vocation to the priesthood, religious life and lay consecrated life sprouts and grows. This fast helps to ignite the religious imagination that says: with sacrifice so much could be accomplished for the Kingdom of God.

Through the sponsored Generation S fast, over the past three years socially displaced children and victims of domestic violence were assisted; and families in need were given the basics. Every hour of the 24 hours is sponsored by a friend, fellow parishioner or family member, and 60 per cent of the proceedings go to a selected ministry in the archdiocese.

It is our hope that through this annual fast, the religious imagination of our youth would be stretched to see personal sacrifice could make a difference in the lives of others.

The 2018 fast cards will be distributed in schools, parishes and confirmation classes. This year the fast takes place in the second week of Lent from 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 1 to 6 p.m. on Friday 2.

We look forward to your support, co-operation and sponsorship.