Catholics urged to pray, help the needy during Lent

“Let us share what we have with the poor through acts of justice and charity called almsgiving. Let’s take care of our health, our hungry neighbors and creation by restraining our appetite through fasting,” Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle said in his message ahead of Ash Wednesday. (File Photo by Lorenzo Atienza via The Manila Cathedral/Facebook)

MANILA — The Archdiocese of Manila on Tuesday asked the Catholic faithful to commemorate Lenten season by praying, fasting, and helping those in need.

“Let us share what we have with the poor through acts of justice and charity called almsgiving. Let’s take care of our health, our hungry neighbors and creation by restraining our appetite through fasting,” Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle said in his message ahead of Ash Wednesday.

The cardinal also urged the faithful to cast unto the Lord all their burdens in the spirit of faith and hope through prayer

Also, he called on the people to leave unnecessary baggage and travel light on their Lenten journey.

“We start preparing to journey with Jesus to Jerusalem where He will show His love for God the Father and for us until the end. It is difficult to travel with heavy bags and baggage. Like Jesus, let us travel light. Almsgiving, fasting and prayer will help us leave behind unnecessary bags and baggage on our Lenten journey with Jesus. Our Mother Mary will accompany us,” he added.

Meanwhile, an official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) urged candidates in this year’s mid-term elections to refrain from taking advantage of religious events in their campaign activities.

“Itong Holy Week, tukso sa mga kandidato, may pagkakataon para magpakita sa pagpasok sa simbahan na sila ay maka-Diyos dahil ang mga tao boboto sa tao na sa tingin nila maka-Diyos. Huwag ka na magpalagay ng abo kasi ang nangyayari uso-uso lang. Photo ops lang(This Holy Week, candidates show up at churches to show that they are God-fearing. It’s because the voters will vote for those who seem to be God-fearing. Do not have your foreheads applied with ash because it just becomes a bandwagon and if it is only for photo opportunities),” said Fr. Edu Gariguez, executive secretary of National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA) of the CBCP.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the 40-day Lenten season.

During this religious occasion, the priest or a lay minister puts a cross, using ashes on the forehead of the faithful.