“For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God” (Rom 8:19)

Dear Brothers and Sisters

Each year, through Mother Church, God “gives us this joyful season when we prepare to celebrate the paschal mystery with mind and heart renewed… as we recall the great events that gave us new life in Christ” (Preface of Lent I). We can thus journey from Easter to Easter towards the fulfilment of the salvation we have already received as a result of Christ’s paschal mystery – “for in hope we were saved” (Rom 8:24). This mystery of salvation, already at work in us during our earthly lives, is a dynamic process that also embraces history and all of creation. As Saint Paul says, “the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God” (Rom 8:19). In this perspective, I would like to offer a few reflections to accompany our journey of conversion this coming Lent.

“Because of the increase of iniquity, the love of many will grow cold” (Mt 24: 12)

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Once again, the Pasch of the Lord draws near! In our preparation for Easter, God in His providence offers us each year the season of Lent as a “sacramental sign of our conversion”.  Lent summons us, and enables us, to come back to the Lord wholeheartedly and in every aspect of our life.

The penitential season of Lent is the time of forty days beginning from Ash Wednesday until Holy Thursday before the Lord’s Supper.  It is a season in the Liturgical year which commemorates the forty days Jesus fasted and prayed in the wilderness before he began his public ministry.  Six Sundays are within the season with Passion Sunday marking the beginning of Holy Week. Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday set the Triduum/three days before Easter Sunday.

The penitential season of Lent is the period of forty days beginning on Ash Wednesday. It is a season of the Church year which commemorates the forty days Jesus fasted and prayed in the wilderness before he began his public ministry of preaching for repentance. Six Sundays are within the season, the last, Passion Sunday, marks the beginning of Holy Week. Holy Thursday begins the Triduum “three days” before Easter day, which includes Good Friday and Holy Saturday.