Toronto - At the beginning of the Lenten season, Cardinal Frank Leo, Archbishop of Toronto, has sent a profound and inspiring message to the archdiocese, inviting the faithful to reflect upon the significance of this liturgical period and the journey of personal and communal conversion. His message, rich in biblical and theological references, offers spiritual guidance for living Lent in an authentic and meaningful manner.
A shared journey of faith
The Cardinal began by emphasising that Lent is not a solitary path, but a journey shared with Christ and the community. Citing Lumen Gentium, he recalled that "God does not make men holy and save them merely as individuals, without bond or link between one another. Rather has it pleased Him to bring men together as one people." This concept of synodality, recently explored in greater depth by the universal Church, highlights the importance of the ecclesial and social dimension of our walk together towards God.
The message invites the faithful to consider Lent not merely as a time for personal conversion, but also as an opportunity to heal and renew relationships with God and others. "Returning to the Lord also means returning to one another and walking together," wrote the Cardinal, drawing attention to the importance of community in God’s salvific plan.
Conversion: a personal and communal act
A central theme of the message is the nature of conversion, which the Cardinal describes as a process involving both the individual and the community. He explained that, in the Old Testament, sin is never regarded as a purely private act, but always possesses a social dimension, for "the infidelity of one falls upon the whole body." In the same way, authentic conversion re-establishes relationships, not only with God but also within the community.
The Archbishop highlighted how many communities today experience fragmentation and division due to sin, which can manifest in strained families, weakened parishes, or relationships marked by silence and resentment. Lent, he stated, is a time to recognise these realities and seek healing and forgiveness, not to assign blame, but to rebuild communion.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation
Another key point of the message concerns the role of the Sacrament of Reconciliation in Lenten life. Leo underscored that Confession, whilst being a deeply personal act, is never private, for sin wounds not only the relationship with God but also communion with the Church. Through this sacrament, he explained, "we re-establish not only our friendship with God, but also the bonds within the community."
Citing the Catechism of the Catholic Church, he reminded the faithful that Confession is a ministry entrusted to the apostles and a means through which the Lord repairs weakened bonds, teaching us the language of mercy and love.
Lenten practices: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving
The Cardinal explored the significance of traditional Lenten practices, explaining how these assume a deeper value when lived through the perspective of communion with God and others. Prayer, he emphasised, is the means through which the heart opens to God, allowing us to unite ourselves with Him and with others, as highlighted in the Gospel of John and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Fasting, meanwhile, educates us to make space for God and our neighbour, helping us to reorientate our priorities and re-establish justice and communion, as indicated in the texts of Isaiah and Joel. Finally, almsgiving represents a concrete gesture of solidarity which recognises the profound link between our lives and the lives of others, a concept well expressed in the First Letter of John (3:16–18).
A journey towards Easter
The message concludes with an invitation to live Lent as a journey of renewed communion, following the example of Jesus, who "even whilst carrying the cross, remained turned towards others and the mission entrusted to Him by the Father." The prelate exhorted the faithful to pray for the grace not only of personal conversion, but also for the healing of relationships and the reconstruction of communion. "It is together - as one Body in Christ - that we are led from the desert to the joy of the Resurrection," he concluded, entrusting the Lenten journey to the guidance and intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Fr.R.T.
Silere non possum