Join us Fasting
Join us on Wednesdays and Fridays to fast in solidarity with hungry children and reflect on the work of Mary’s Meals.
Fasting is an act of penance, which brings us closer to God and enables us to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters around the world who live in poverty and hunger.
One of the core messages of Medjugorje is that we should fast in accordance with the tradition of the Church, and Our Lady calls us to fast on bread and water on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Today, 59 million children are missing out on an education because of poverty, while millions of others attend school so hungry that they are not able to concentrate and learn.
That’s why, in collaboration with priests in Medjugorje, the Mary's Meals information centre established its fasting initiative in 2017, linking Our Lady's invitation to fast with raising awareness of global hunger.
Every Wednesday and Friday, from noon until 2pm, we invite pilgrims to join us at the Mary’s Meals information centre, near the Church of St James, for fasting, conversation and prayer. Fresh bread, kindly donated by local bakers, and iced water is also provided.
The #FastingInitiative aims to raise awareness of the issue of global hunger by encouraging people to fast for a day, enabling the next generation of supporters to get involved in Mary’s Meals by creating a feeling of solidarity with those who lack even the most basic things.
In these difficult times, we understand that many people cannot travel as usual, but the need for prayer, fasting, reflection and a sense of community is more important than ever.
If you are unable to visit Medjugorje in person, we invite you to join us for a virtual fast each Wednesday and Friday, so we all can stay connected with this initiative and keep praying and fasting for the work of Mary's Meals.
Add to our image library by sending your pictures and personal experiences of fasting to medjugorje@marysmeals.org
Join our fasting group today
Your stories
Our Blessed Lady asked us to pray and fast. I love that Mary's Meals has taken this message to the heart and is inviting all in Medjugorje to join them in fasting and prayer. This encouragement unites us with other pilgrims.
Fasting at the Mary's Meals Visitor Centre dramatically helped my personal prayer life. My eyes were opened to a new way of praying and I hope the mission of Mary's Meals was impacted because of it.
My first fasting days for Mary's Meals I did just after reading Fr. Slavko Barbaric's OFM book that I received in the Mary's Meals Visitor Centre in Medjugorje. I understood how important it is and how great grace can be received when we are going through a fasting day.
Fasting always reminds me of others who have no food and it strengthens my prayers.
#FastingInitiative Facebook Group
If you are healthy, over 18 and could consider fasting for a day in order to raise awareness about global hunger please join our Facebook group to learn more about our fasting initiative. Each Wednesday and Friday we will be sharing reminders, thoughts, quotes and testimonies about fasting for the mission of Mary's Meals.
Resources you can use to help
Help us raise awareness about global hunger and help bring real hope and change for those who are suffering by sharing news of this initiative and the work of Mary’s Meals. Download our fasting pack and placemat to invite others to get involved.