Christendom will observe the Second Sunday of Lent on March 5.
Church officials continue to encourage the faithful “to examine their conscience, to repent of any sin, and to observe the Sacrament of Penance” as the observance of the Holy Week nears.
With the ease in Covid-19 restrictions, the confessional will be open for longer hours to enable more churchgoers to go to confession.
Roman Catholics are reminded to observe the three tenets of the observance of the Lenten season: almsgiving, prayer, and fasting as forms of sacrifices and in accordance with Pope Francis’ call for Christians to observe “mercy and compassion” towards others.
The Filipino faithful are also encouraged to support the Church’s Lenten feeding program, Fast2Feed or to donate whatever amount was saved from fasting to the Church’s charity program for malnourished children.
Meanwhile, a Catholic Church leader encouraged the faithful not only to fast from food during Lent but also to fast from sins.
Diocese of Pasig Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara said that Lent is a time for the faithful to correct their bad habits by avoiding committing sins.
“The best fasting is to fast from sin. We often commit sins. So avoid committing sin,” Vergara said in a CBCP News post.
“Take the season of Lent seriously and make spiritual progress in your lives,” said the CBCP vice president.
Bishop Vergara said the 40-day Lenten season is a moment for personal conversion, which allows people to look at the needs of others and to grow in love by committing the three disciplines of fasting, prayer and almsgiving.
“The challenge really is for us to do more than do less— more time for prayer, do more almsgiving. And this will lead us to the path of holiness,” the prelate said.
The 40-day season of Lent began on Feb. 22, Ash Wednesday. It culminates in April on the observance of the Holy Week which begins on April 2, Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion.