Songs and Bible readings for Masses
Consider planning a prayer service, remembering “One Human Family, Food for All” at Mass, or devoting time to personal prayer to end hunger.
Key scripture texts
(To determine placement of a text in the Lectionary, see The Lectionary for Mass, http://catholic-resources.org/Lectionary/1998USL.htm)
Genesis 1: 1-19
Story of creation; amongst other things, God created every form of vegetation and saw that it was good. Used at the Easter Vigil, First Reading, Cycle A, B, C. Also used Monday of the 5th Week of Ordinary Time, Year I.
Genesis 41: 46-57
As an adviser to Pharaoh, Joseph showed foresight in storing food during seven years of plenty in order that community would have food during seven years of famine. Used Wednesday of the 14th Week of Ordinary Time, Year II.
Exodus 23: 10-11
Describes Jewish rule of conduct to allow field to lie fallow the seventh year and to allow poor people to pick from the field that year.
Leviticus 19: 9-10
Describes the Jewish rule of conduct to allow poor people to glean your fields.
I Kings 17: 7-16
During a severe drought, a widow shares her remaining food supply with Elijah. The family and Elijah would not suffer from hunger throughout the rest of the drought. Used 32nd Sunday, Ordinary Time, Year B and Tuesday of the 10th Week of Ordinary Time, Year II.
Luke 9: 10-17
The disciples suggested that Jesus send the multitude away for them to find food. Jesus commanded them to feed the multitude themselves. Used Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, Year C
Matthew 14: 13-21
The disciples suggested that Jesus send the multitude away for them to find food. Jesus commanded them to feed the multitude themselves. Used 18th Sunday, Ordinary Time, Year A and Monday, 18th Week of Ordinary Time, Years I and II.
Mark 6: 33-44
The disciples suggested that Jesus send the multitude away for them to find food. Jesus commanded them to feed the multitude themselves. Used Tuesday after Epiphany (or Jan. 8), Years I and II.
John 6: 1-14
The disciples suggested that Jesus send the multitude away for them to find food. Jesus commanded them to feed the multitude themselves. Used in 17th Sunday, Ordinary Time, Year B and Friday, 2nd Week of Easter, Years I and II.
Suggested songs in English
- “Song of the Body of Christ,” David Haas, GIA Publications
- “The Harvest of Justice,” David Hass, GIA Publications
- “Whatsoever You Do,” Willard Jabusch, OCP Publications
- “A Place at the Table,” Lori True, GIA Publications
- “Anthem,” Tom Conry, OCP Publications
- “The Cry of the Poor,” John Foley, OCP Publications
- “The Harvest of Justice,” David Haas, GIA Publications
Sample prayers of petition/prayers of the faithful
- For the success of the Caritas Campaign “One Human Family: Food for All,” let us pray to the Lord…
- For the needs of those who suffer from lack of healthy food, that their hunger may be satisfied, let us pray to the Lord…
- For small-scale farmers struggling to feed their families…
- For communities who have suffered droughts and floods that have damaged their crops…
- For the 1 in 8 people around the world who are going hungry because of an unjust food system…
- For the wellbeing of those who grow, transport, and distribute our food, let us pray to the Lord…
- For favorable climate conditions for farmers, fishers and livestock herders who provide our food, let us pray to the Lord…
- For leaders in every land, that they may make decisions about food production and distribution that ensure that there is room at the table for all of the members of our human family…
Message for mass
Duration of activity: 3 minutes.
Good morning. My name is _________, and I am a member of _________ parish.
Caritas Internationalis, a confederation of Catholic development organizations around the world, has launched a global campaign called “One Human Family, Food for All”. This campaign is in response to the fact that 1 in every 8 of God’s children still suffer from hunger – a total of one billion people on our planet. To die of hunger in our world of plenty is a scandal and denies the most basic human right: the right to food.
Catholics around the world have joined this campaign, which was launched by the Holy Father Pope Francis in December 2013. Our goal is to create change so that the abundance of God’s creation is shared equally amongst all around the world. We know that we can end the injustice of hunger and make a place at the table for the poor.
Our partners are working towards ensuring food sovereignty – the right of people to healthy food and the right to develop their own agricultural systems. Many of our partners are supporting small-scale farmers and have come together to call for reforms to the way food is grown, produced, and distributed. These partners have created seed banks to improve crops; they are teaching agricultural methods to grow food on dry fields; they are creating farming and fishing cooperatives; and they are speaking out against land grabs and forest destruction. By supporting their work, we are making room at the table for all and ensuring that everyone receives their daily bread.
This is our opportunity to express our faith and demonstrate that we are part of one human family.
Today, I am asking you to contribute towards making a significant difference in the lives of the people of the Global South. I’m asking you to give generously in order to make a place at the table for the poor. I am asking you to give, for the good of the whole human family of which we are all members, and within which we are all responsible for each other.
Thank you so much for your generosity and your solidarity.
Short announcement from the pulpit
Duration of activity: 1 minute
Good morning. My name is _________, and I am a member of _________ parish.
Catholics around the world have joined a global campaign called “One Human Family, Food for All,” which was launched by the Holy Father Pope Francis in December 2013. Our goal is to create change so that the abundance of God’s creation is shared equally amongst all around the world. Together, we can end the injustice of hunger and make a place at the table for the poor.
One out of every 8 of God’s children suffers from hunger – a total of one billion people on our planet. To die of hunger in our world of plenty is a scandal and denies the most basic human right: the right to food. Supporting this global campaign is our opportunity to express our faith and demonstrate that we are part of one human family.
Today, I’m asking you to give generously in order to make a place at the table for the poor and ensure that everyone receives their daily bread. I am asking you to give, for the good of the whole human family of which we are all members, and within which we are all responsible for each other.
Thank you so much for your generosity and your solidarity.
Adapted from materials developed by Catholic Charities USA and Development & Peace, Canada.