Pray, Fast, and Give: Preparing for the 40 Days of Lent  and Praying for Pope Francis

Praying for the Holy Father

As of the writing of this blog, today, Wednesday, February 26, Pope Francis has been receiving care at Gemelli Hospital in Rome for 12 days now. As the Holy Father battles illnesses, millions across the world, including here in the Diocese of Fall River, fervently pray for him and the restoration of his health. While we do not know what the immediate future may hold for Pope Francis, please continue to pray for his health and recovery.

How are you Preparing for Lent?

While it may seem like we just concluded the celebrations of Christmas with the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus in early January, it’s already time to prepare for the 40 days of Lent. It begins next week,  on Ash Wednesday, March 5, and concludes with the celebration of the Esther Triduum and the Resurrection of the Lord on Easter Sunday, Apr. 20. The 40 days of Lent call each of us to a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving; it calls each of us to embark on a journey of faith to deepen our relationship with Christ. Let us embrace conversion and prepare our hearts for the joy of Easter!

Pray

As we journey through these 40 days, prayer is our spiritual foundation. During this journey, we are called to seek God’s guidance and open our hearts to His loving mercy. Whether in moments of quiet contemplation, during Mass, or breaks during the day in which we set time aside for reflection, allow prayer to guide your Lenten journey.

Daily Offering Prayer

O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day in union with the holy sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world.

I offer them for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart: the salvation of souls, reparation for sin, the reunion of all Christians.

I offer them for the intentions of our bishops and of all the apostles of prayer, and in particular for those recommended by our Holy Father this month.

Amen.

USCCB

Fast
Why do Catholics fast during Lent? Why do Catholics abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Fridays during Lent? Christ willingly gave his life for our sins on the cross, making the ultimate sacrifice for mankind. Though they pale in comparison to the pain and suffering of our Savior on the cross, fasting and abstaining from meat are two simple forms of sacrifice that we are called to make. These voluntary sacrifices allow us to better understand the sacrifices of Christ and also help us be aware of those who face food insecurity. These are but some small ways that we, too, can make small sacrifices during Lent.

Give

We live in a world where we are surrounded by suffering. The family without the financial means to purchase groceries or pay for rent. The family who fled horrific conditions who now live in fear of deportation. Like Christ who carried the cross on the Via Dolorosa to Golgotha, we too carry different kinds of crosses such as the burden and stress of life. But many of us can emulate the actions of Mary who knelt before the cross as Jesus suffered by trying to ease the pain and suffering of others during the 40 days of Lent.

You are invited to share the love of Christ through charity and service. Lent is a season of generosity, calling us to share God’s love through acts of charity and service. This could be a donation to Catholic Charities or the Seminary or perhaps volunteering to provide for those in the greatest of need. Whatever form of giving you choose, your actions perform the work of Christ here on earth.

Lenten Resources

As you prepare your 40-day journey of Lent, here are some helpful resources from our Secretariat for the New Evangelization and from other sources.

1. 40 Days in 40 Ways
2. Stations of the Cross Podcast
3. English and Spanish Lenten Calendars
4. Why is Lent 40 Days?

Finally, remember you are not alone on your Lenten journey. There are many opportunities to  deeper engage during the 40-day journey with others. Many parishes host Lenten Missions. There are events – such as a series of talks, music or prayer –  that take place over the course of a few days or an entire week. Visit your parish – or neighboring parish – website to locate a mission near you.

During these next 40 days, please know of my prayers for you and your families. I also ask that you pray for me.

Sincerely,

+Bishop da Cunha