Pope’s Lenten message focuses on sacrfice, penance

Feb.04, 2014: “He became poor, so that by His poverty you might become rich”, is the theme chosen by Pope Francis for Lent this year, which begins March 5. The pope’s message was released by the Vatican on Tuesday. As an application for this season of lent, the Pope invited the faithful to confront the poverty of our brothers and sisters who lack basic rights and needs - such as food, water, work and the opportunity to develop. He said we have to take practical steps to alleviate their hardships. We must not make power, luxury and money become our idols, but convert our consciences to justice equality and sharing.
Lent, he said is a fitting time for self denial and we must give up in order to help and enrich others by our own poverty. Let us not forget that real poverty hurts; and no self denial is real without this dimension of penance. The Pope prayed that this Lenten season finds the whole Church ready to bear witness to all those who live in material, moral and spiritual destitution and that the Gospel message of the merciful love of God is ready to embrace everyone in Christ.
Source :Sedoc