The head of the Catholic church in England is calling for believers to eat less in solidarity with the world's poor.
The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, is using his Pastoral Letter for the Feast of Epiphany to urge Catholics to deepen their faith by reviving their spiritual practices.
The letter, which will will be read at all Masses in the Diocese of Westminster this weekend, asks them to pray regularly and eat less on Fridays.
The message may come as a timely reminder to those who over-indulged at Christmas.
A spokesman said: "This form of penance, he will say, should be carried out not only for self discipline, but as an act of identity and solidarity with the poor."
The Archbishop will urge Christians to embrace the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development's Live Simply campaign this year, which calls on people to be responsible consumers, using the world's resources "carefully and gracefully".
The Archbishop calls the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and taking part in Holy Hour prayer with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament "truly part of Catholic tradition and devotion and are nourishment to our faith".
