Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving — these are the three Lenten practices we’ve all learned about since childhood.
It seems that prayer and fasting are widely practiced and well-known among Catholics. Many of us deepen our prayer life during Lent, and we follow at least the minimal fasting requirements. Many of us go beyond by “giving up” some of our favorite foods such as desserts, candy, and alcoholic beverages.
But perhaps the least observed or even discussed is almsgiving. A Catholic News Service (CNS) article pointed to a February 2020 editorial in America magazine, which described almsgiving as the “under-practiced, under-encouraged Lenten discipline.”
It pointed out that in the magazine’s 110-year-old archives, a search for prayer and fasting in article titles had thousands of examples, but a similar search for almsgiving yielded just two results.
What is almsgiving?
So what is almsgiving? The CNS article defines almsgiving as donating money or goods to the poor and performing other acts of charity. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says “giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity; it is also a work of justice pleasing to God.”
The Catechism quotes from the Scriptures: “He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food must do likewise” (Lk 3:11).
So it seems as if almsgiving is not just a nice thing to do. It’s considered a necessary part of being a follower of Christ.
Do it quietly
However, the CNS article notes that Christians might have good reason not to talk about their almsgiving practices. Biblical warnings are pretty clear on guidelines of keeping this practice quiet.
For example, in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus has this to say, “When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others.”
So it’s obvious that we shouldn’t toot our own horns about almsgiving. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t give alms.
How to give alms
One of the popular Lenten practices is Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) Rice Bowl. Lenten alms donated through CRS Rice Bowl support the work of CRS in roughly 45 different countries each year. One-fourth of all donations to CRS Rice Bowl stay in the local diocese, supporting hunger and poverty alleviation efforts. Since its inception in 1975, CRS Rice Bowl has raised nearly $300 million. You can go to https://www.crsricebowl.org to get more information and to donate online.
Most Catholic parishes support charitable outreach in their parish and community. My own parish, Our Lady Queen of Peace in Madison, operates the Catholic Multicultural Center, which offers many opportunities for giving of time and donations. The parish also provides and serves food at Luke House and the Grace Episcopal meal for the homeless in Madison.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul provides person-to-person aid to people who are poor and in need. There are 33 conferences of the society in the Diocese of Madison. I encourage people to join me in donating clothing and household items to the society’s boxes or schedule a free pickup. Monetary donations are always welcome.
There are many other opportunities for almsgiving. This Lent, don’t forget to do almsgiving as one of your Lenten practices.