Fifth Sunday of Lent: Bishop urges faithful to embrace change during lenten season
Caceres Archbishop Emeritus Rolando Tria Tirona has called on the faithful to take time out this season of Lent to strengthen their faith and relationship with God.

Lent, the Church leader said, is an opportune time to change in both mind and spirit in order to deepen one’s relationship with the Lord as well as to nurture genuine concern for others.
“As we observe the season of Lent, I urge everyone to have a change of mindset, a change of attitude. Let us change our behavior towards the poor. Let us focus on self improvement and awareness as we heed the Lord’s call for conversion, especially renewal of our being, of our person, of our actions,” Archbishop Tirona said over Radio Veritas.
The prelate said Lent is a time to change one’s life to form a closer bond with God who never abandons us despite our sins.
“God is love and He never abandons us. We abandon God but God never abandons us. We need to convert, to go back to God,” the archbishop said.
Meanwhile, the Catholic Church marks the Fifth Sunday of Lent on March 17. It is traditionally observed as Passion Time.
Religious readings, reflections, and prayers of the liturgy in Holy Masses will focus on the Passion of Christ.
The faithful are encouraged to continue to pray, hear holy masses and to go to confession.
In the tradition of the Roman Catholic Church, the last two weeks of Lent form the season called Passion Time, the first week, which begins on Sunday, March 17, known as Passion Week, while the second week, which begins next Sunday known as the Holy Week.
The observance of Passion Time or Passion Week lasts until Black Saturday, before the start of the Easter Vigil in the evening.
Considered as a deeper and more solemn time of Lent, the Catholic faithful are encouraged to reflect on the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Mother.
Traditional devotions include the praying of the Way of the Cross, the recitation of the Holy Rosary, meditation on the five Sorrowful Mysteries, and the recitation of the five prayers in honor of Christ’s five wounds.
Devotees of the Blessed Mother traditionally offer novena prayers and special devotions during the observance of Passion Time.