Lent 2024

In keeping with the mood of the day, the universal drabness of the ‘no-blooms’ period is momentarily broken with the temporary return of flowers around the Altar—a further reminder of the Spring of Easter soon to come!

Pope Francis will open the eleventh edition of the '24 Hours for the Lord' Lenten initiative on March 8, Friday, dedicated to prayer and reconciliation, at the Roman parish of San Pio V., according to a statement from the Dicastery for Evangelization.

Cardinal Sebastian noted that these acts of penance are also being done by other non-Catholic Asians, especially Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims, bringing about a unique sense of spiritual unity within the region.

Fr. Joseph Salando said the post was "not authentic and misattributed" to the Pope.

Pope Francis, in his Lenten message 2018 says, by devoting more time to prayer, we enable our hearts to root out our secret lies and forms of self-deception, and then find the consolation God offers.

“As pilgrims in this world, we are called to journey together to our new home beyond this life,” Cardinal Stephen said.

The Lenten journey “will be concrete if… we realize that even today we remain under the rule of Pharoah. A rule that makes us weary and indifferent. A model of growth that divides us and robs us of our  future, said the Pope.