“You are a masterpiece of His love, wounded, disfigured by sin,
but remade by the Redeemer, more beautiful than before.”
(I Believe in Love, Father Jean C.J. d’Elbée)

As our troubled world spins on, this week marks the beginning of the spiritual season of Lent. It is a time in the Christian church that calls us to pause and recognize that we are broken, wounded, and in need of God’s saving grace and mercy. None of us are free from suffering – even our Lord suffered in his passion and death on the cross. He did this out of an incredible love for us, to give us hope and new life with him.

Lent is an opportunity to examine our responses to this love in our lives and to seek God’s mercy for the times we have failed to respond to his love as we ought. With the help of his grace, we are also called to show this merciful love to our suffering brothers and sisters.

In a special way during these 40 days of prayer, almsgiving, and fasting, we can be the face of Christ to those in our community who are hungry, homeless, or in need and show them the compassion of our loving God. Some ideas for how to live out the three pillars of Lent this year:

• Prayer – Pray for those who are suffering and alone, particularly those who have no one else to pray for them.
• Almsgiving – “Alms” does not necessarily mean money. It can be the gift of time, food or other material goods. Consider holding a casserole drive or collection drive to donate food or other essential items for shelter guests.
• Fasting – This doesn’t have to be fasting from food. Consider fasting from TV and spend that time in prayer, volunteering, or doing something kind for your neighbor.

Thank you for all the ways you show love to your neighbors in need through your support of St. Vincent de Paul.

We pray you have a blessed Lenten season and experience more deeply the love of our merciful God.