We, the people of God, will commence the Lenten season with Ash Wednesday, setting a tone for 40 days. The ashes we receive on our foreheads are a powerful Christian symbol of repentance, mortality, and humility. They serve as a stern reminder of our mortality, saying, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19). Lent is not just a season but a sacred time for self-examination, repentance, and preparation for Easter. It urges Catholics to renew their faith and strive for greater holiness. According to CCC 1438, Lent is a penitential season where the Church firmly encourages fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. Pope Francis consistently emphasises that “Lent is a time for believing, for welcoming God into our lives and allowing Him to ‘make His dwelling’ among us.”
Every year, we begin the Lenten season with a purpose and perseverance. This year, as we celebrate the jubilee year with the theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope’, the Lenten season becomes very significant and enhances it spiritually. On the feast of Ascension, May 5, 2024, Pope Francis formally announced the Jubilee Year during a ceremony at St. Peter’s Basilica, where the Bull of Indication titled “Spes non confundit – Hope does not disappoint” was made public. The Pope states in the Document, “Everyone knows what it is to hope. In each person’s heart, hope resides as the longing and anticipation of good things to come, even though we do not know what the future holds.” The document invites the faithful to reflect on the profound significance of God’s mercy and the call for renewal. It highlights the role of the Jubilee Year as a time for spiritual growth, healing, and fostering peace within the community.
Br. Justin Arokia Raj SVD
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