With Lent right around the corner, the Vatican presented Pope Francis' Lenten message, which this year is taken from St. Paul's letter to the Galatians, in which he encourages them to “not grow tired of doing good,” because they will one day reap what they sow.
CARD. FRANCESCO MONTENEGRO
“Lent is, in some way, the mirror image of a Christian's entire life. As such, it is a space for training and preparation, like a gym. Amid every setback or difficulty that can cause us to become discouraged, Lent reminds us that we can always start over.”
At the conference presenting the message, Sr. Alessandra Smerilli underscored the Pope's invitation to not grow tired of doing good, despite the various crises affecting different parts of the world today.
SR. ALESSANDRA SMERILLI
Secretary, Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development
“Winds of war, after decades of reckless rearmament, with increasing arms expenditure, and a pandemic that has claimed many lives, exacerbated inequalities, highlighted what is not working in our economic and social systems, and forced us to ask new questions... cannot make us lose hope.”
A concrete example of patiently facing challenges and doing good was provided by Fr. Massimo Mostioli, an Italian priest who provides pastoral care to a Romani community. He lives in a camper alongside them, learning their language and ministering to them.
FR. MASSIMO MOSTIOLI
Diocese of Pavia (Italy)
“I am happy with this service, I love the Gypsies and they love me, too. The possibility of bringing them the Word of God that saves and liberate gives me so much joy, despite failures, disappointments and misunderstandings.”
The Pope's Lenten message proposes prayer, fasting and active charity as concrete ways for every individual to continue to do good and not to be discouraged by difficult times.
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