Development and Peace-Caritas Canada's  Solidarity Sunday is aiming to "Turn Debt into Hope."

Its Share Lent campaign will culminate April 6 as Catholics from across the country are called to show their charity through the national collection. 

This year, Solidarity Sunday will join Caritas Internationalis’ campaign "Turn Debt into Hope," a call to support and lessen cycles of debt plaguing many throughout the Global South.

Having been the core global dimension of the organization’s Share Lent campaign since 1967, Solidarity Sunday continues to act as the pinnacle fundraising opportunity in driving D&P's work around the world. 

“It has always been this  beautiful moment of people coming together as a Church in Canada with all parishes across the country taking up a special collection, having heard all about the work that their donation supports through the whole of Lent,” said interim executive director Luke Stocking. 

“ We have The Way of the Cross used in parishes throughout Lent and all our weekly reflections posted on our website as well and so there is a strong spiritual dimension to the campaign as well.”  

Coming off of $6 million raised last year, the organization hopes to extend the figure to $6.5 million in 2025. Every dollar raised will go toward  assisting the 3.3 billion people throughout the world who live in countries that spend more on servicing their debt than they can on health care and education. 

Of these,  Sudan, Ethiopia and the Philippines have been a primary focus throughout the campaign. These three countries hold a collective $162 billion in debt, a problem Stocking said needs to be addressed from the ground up. 

“ Every little drop in the bucket does help, and while the money that we raise has always supported all our projects around the world, the education and advocacy aspect is especially important in order to address root causes,” he said. “That is why the global campaign is so important as a method of  finding ways to ensure that countries stuck in these terrible cycles of debt can eventually advance in key areas and promote the common good.” 

The goal also aligns with this Jubilee year and one of its goals of debt relief for the world's poorest nations. 

Funds can be donated at the collection during Mass or online through D&P’s one-time or  monthly donation programs. 

While the funds raised remain invaluable, Stocking notes the spirit of Solidarity Sunday itself, bringing the faithful together to support a common goal, is the real defining moment of each year’s Share Lent campaign. 

“It is not just about the money we raise on the actual day, but the energy that we can generate on Solidarity Sunday to encourage people to make their Share Lent donation through the many ways possible for them to do that,” he said. 

Just as thankful as he is to the faithful for their generosity, Stocking is for the continued support of the country’s many Bishops and the organization's members for making Solidarity Sunday a Share Lent climax every year. 

“ The support that our bishops give through letters and encouragement has always helped ensure a successful campaign, as well as the support of our 12,800 members across the country. To see what ordinary Catholics are doing to raise funds for Share Lent to support their brothers and sisters, most of whom they will never meet, always inspires me in my work,” he said. 

To donate online, see devp.org.