The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is calling on the faithful to prioritize spiritual discipline and peace-building as the Lenten season officially begins this week.
In a statement issued ahead of Ash Wednesday on February 18, Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, a senior official of the CBCP, emphasized that the 40-day period should be more than a ritual.
He urged Catholics to utilize fasting and prayer as tools for “concrete action” toward social justice and national harmony.
“This is a time to return to God and to our neighbors,” Bagaforo said.
“True fasting opens our eyes to the suffering of others and compels us to act with compassion, especially for the poor and the forgotten.”
The start of Lent this year carries added significance due to its rare overlap with the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
Church leaders have highlighted this convergence as a “sacred opportunity” for interfaith dialogue, urging Filipinos to foster an environment of mutual respect and shared devotion.
As parishes across the country prepare for the traditional imposition of ashes, the CBCP reminded the public that the season is an invitation to slow down and reflect on personal and communal responsibilities through the three pillars of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
“Let us respond together to the wounds of our world,” Bagaforo added. “These are sacred tasks. These are works of peace.”