God

MESSAGE OF THE HOLY FATHER LEO XIV FOR LENT 2026. Theme: "Listening and Fasting: Lent as a Time of Conversion" Date: February 13, 2026 Introduction: A Time for Renewal Lent is a period where the Church invites us to center our lives on the mystery of God to renew our faith. This journey protects our hearts from being consumed by the anxieties and distractions of daily life. True conversion begins by welcoming the Word of God with a docile spirit, allowing it to transform us. It is an opportunity to heed the Lord’s voice and follow Christ on the road to Jerusalem toward his passion, death, and resurrection. The Importance of Listening. Listening is the primary way we demonstrate a desire for a relationship with others. Pope Leo XIV highlights that God himself is defined by listening, as seen when he heard the cry of his people in Egypt.
* A Call to Action. Listening to the Word in liturgy teaches us to listen to the "truth of reality". *Responding To Suffering: Scripture helps us recognize and respond to the cries of the anguished and the poor. *The Challenge: The condition of the poor is a "cry" that constantly challenges our societies, political systems, and the Church itself. Fasting: Preparing for the Word. Fasting is an ancient practice essential for conversion. By involving the body, it helps us identify our true "hungers" and orders our appetites toward justice rather than complacency. Click to read.