Lenten journey can renew the family

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:

On Wednesday, we began our 40-day Lenten journey leading to our celebration of the death and resurrection of Christ.

During this season of Lent, the Church calls us to look honestly at our actions and attitudes to see the ways in which we are not faithful in living our Christian vocation. We are called not only to acknowledge sins but also to see ways in which we could do more to respond to Christ’s call to follow him daily.

It is appropriate that we choose a Lenten penance that will help us experience God’s call to change and Christian conversion. Whatever we choose should draw us closer to the values of Jesus and to faithfully living out these values at home, in the workplace or school and in our community.

As we continue in 2014 to focus on family and faith, may I make a few suggestions for Lenten practices:

➤ Set a time for your family to gather to go to individual confession.

➤ Celebrate Mass on Sunday as a family.

➤ Before a family meal, take a few moments to pray and to discuss the meaning of Lent.

➤ Renew our efforts to forgive someone in our family who has hurt us.

➤ Choose a spiritual book to read on family life or ways to grow in love of God and one another.

➤ Gather with another family in the neighborhood or your church parish to pray and discuss the value of family.

➤ Reach out to someone who is addicted to alcohol, drugs, pornography or gambling and offer them hope.

Whatever penance we choose for Lent, may it lead us to a conversion of heart and draw us closer to Christ and to our family.

Be assured of my prayers on your Lenten journey.

Wishing you God’s abundant blessings, I am

Sincerely in Christ,
Most Reverend
Gregory M. Aymond
Archbishop of New Orleans