In practically all the languages in which the message of this year's catechesis was transmitted Ash Wednesday -the Church is a universal sacrament of salvation and an instrument of God, the Pope called for a profound conversion of heart.
In the nine languages in which they are transmitted the words the Pope to the Romans and pilgrims in St. Peter's Square, the Pontiff wished everyone “a good Lent” (French) and that “the Lord help us to welcome with open hearts the graces that he wants to give us in this time of Lent. Lent”(German language).
Fasting so as not to hurt others, or encountering Christ in the sacrament of Penance
Then there were some concrete details about the Lenten message. For example, the Holy Father asked us to fast “from gestures and comments that hurt others and distance us from his merciful Heart.
“May Lent be a time of encounter with Christ through the Sacrament of Penance and the works of mercy” (Polish language).
“To be an effective sign of unity and reconciliation among peoples” (Arabic language).
Lumen gentium: the Church, sacrament of union with God and of unity
In the catechesis, the Holy Father has reflected on the Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium, dedicated to the Church. At the beginning of this conciliar document it is affirmed that “the Church is in Christ as a sacrament, that is, a sign and instrument of intimate union with God and of the unity of the whole human race” (n. 1).
This means, the Pope pointed out, “that the Church is a sacrament, insofar as she is an expression that manifests God's plan in the history of humanity, and she is an instrument, that is, she carries out her mission in an active way, driven by the Holy Spirit”.
Jesus continues to act in the Church by the Holy Spirit
In the chapter dedicated to the eschatological nature, the Constitution Lumen Gentium affirms that the Church is “the universal sacrament of salvation” (n. 48). “This makes it possible to understand the link between Christ the Savior and the Church, since he continues to act in her through the work of the Holy Spirit, uniting her members and making them sharers in his glorious life by means of the Eucharist.”.
In other words, the Church is God's instrument for “uniting people in himself and bringing them together” thanks to “the reconciling action of Jesus Christ”. And “sacrament of salvation” through which the Father makes us “sharers in his glorious life” by nourishing us with his body and blood.
Before praying the Our Father and giving his blessing, Pope Leo said: “At the beginning of Lent, I exhort you to live this liturgical season with an intense spirit of prayer so as to arrive, interiorly renewed, at the celebration of the great mystery of Christ's Easter, the supreme revelation of God's merciful love”.
St. Faustina Kowalska on the 22nd
Shortly before, he had reminded the Poles that “February 22 is the 95th anniversary of the first apparition of the Merciful Jesus to St. Faustina Kowalska. Since then a new chapter in the spread of the cult of the Divine Mercy began, through the Chaplet and the painting ‘Jesus, I trust in You’”.
Imposition of Ashes in Santa Sabina
In the afternoon, the Pope will proceed to the Church of St. Anselm, from where a penitential procession will take place to the Basilica of Santa Sabina. There, the Pope will celebrate Holy Mass and will bless and impose the ashes.
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