His Eminence Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay, while addressing the faithful gathered in Mumbai’s Holy Name Cathedral to celebrate the Ash Wednesday liturgy, conveyed to perform a series of practical actions to promote the culture of mercy dear to Pope Francis. His Beatitude Cardinal Gracias highlighted that these practical actions include gathering in prayer with the family; reciting the Rosary and reading the sacred texts together; doing acts of penance such as fasting, following a vegetarian diet and abstaining from drinking and smoking; performing works of charity like offering meals to the poor; doing voluntary service in charitable associations; visiting to the sick and the elderly; or making blood donations.
As reported by Asianews, His Eminence Cardinal Gracias remarked that “Our penance during the season of Lent should transform our hearts, enabling us to experience God’s love, to become merciful in turn, so that in an ever-new miracle, divine mercy shines forth in our lives, inspiring each of us to love our neighbor and to devote ourselves to what the Church’s tradition calls the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.” Further, His Eminence added, “The season of Lent, specially through frequent attendance at Mass and feeding on the Word of God and the Eucharist, should become a time of spiritual renewal. More prayer, acts of penance and works of charity is what the Church recommends during Lent.”
His Beatitude Cardinal Gracias concluded his remarks by encouraging the faithful to make the lent season fruitful through works of mercy and fasting.
Source: www.asianews.it
