Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for Lent 2025

Let us journey together in hope

Dear brothers and sisters,

We begin our annual pilgrimage of Lent in faith and hope with the penitential rite of the imposition of ashes. The Church, our mother and teacher, invites us to open our hearts to God's grace, so that we can celebrate with great joy the paschal victory of Christ the Lord over sin and death, which led Saint Paul to exclaim: "Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" (1 Cor 15:54-55). Indeed, Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, is the heart of our faith and the pledge of our hope in the Father's great promise, already fulfilled in His beloved Son: life eternal (cf. Jn 10:28; 17:3).

This Lent, as we share in the grace of the Jubilee Year, I would like to propose a few reflections on what it means to journey together in hope, and on the summons to conversion that God in His mercy addresses to all of us, as individuals and as a community.

First of all, to journey. The Jubilee motto, "Pilgrims of Hope", evokes the lengthy journey of the people of Israel to the Promised Land, as recounted in the Book of Exodus. This arduous path from slavery to freedom was willed and guided by the Lord, who loves His people and remains ever faithful to them. It is hard to think of the biblical exodus without also thinking of those of our brothers and sisters who, in our own day, are fleeing situations of misery and violence in search of a better life for themselves and their loved ones. A first call to conversion thus comes from the realisation that all of us are pilgrims in this life; each of us is invited to stop and ask how our lives reflect this fact. Am I really on a journey, or am I standing still, not moving, either immobilised by fear and hopelessness, or reluctant to move out of my comfort zone? Am I seeking ways to leave behind the occasions of sin and situations that degrade my dignity?

Celebrating 25 years of Excellence

The commemoration of a milestone, a miracle

Health Promotion Trust completed its 25th anniversary celebration, commemorating its dedicated service to holistic healthcare on February 20, 2025: a watershed moment for the Archdiocese of Bombay. The celebrations bore testimony to the commitment, partnership, and collaborative efforts of Health Promotion Trust across Mumbai, Dharavi Island, and Raigad districts to promote affordable, accessible, and available health services within communities. The event was graced by representatives and participants from 16 Church-based community organisations in Raigad, 23 Church-based organisations and associations in Mumbai and 7 church-based Community Organisations in Dharavi Island. Since 2009, HPT has transformed the lives of participants – 20,000 in Raigad, 10,000 in Mumbai, and 5,000 in Dharavi Island.

Welcomed with a flowery tribute from 26 Health workers of Raigad District, the Chief Guest, Oswald Cardinal Gracias inaugurated the event with the lighting of the lamp, along with other dignitaries – Guest of Honour, Mr Wolf Gero Reichert; Bishop Dominic Savio Fernandes; Trustees: Rev Fr Joseph Gonsalves and Rev Fr Shavito Correira, and Fr Rocky Banz, Director of the Health Promotion Trust. The prayer and welcome dance by 14 Barefoot Health Workers, Premdarshan Community Centre, Juhu was an incredible expression of faith and gratitude.

 Documentary: 25 years of HPT's remarkable journey in building health-conscious communities

The documentary on Health Promotion Trust by the Archdiocesan Catholic Communication Centre, screened at the event, captured the first-hand accounts of the participants and collaborators through interviews and testimonies demonstrating preventive healthcare as a cornerstone of HPT interventions. The documentary summarised HPT's transformative strategies to promote health literacy and health consciousness. The effectiveness of HPT's Healthcare Modules; 'Barefoot Health Worker Certificate' programme; training and empowering community participants to be Arogyasevaks; adolescent healthcare training programme; school mental health initiatives; Naturopathy Wellness Centre in Khandala; Holistic Health Centre at Juhu; promotion of transgender healthcare and the immunity-boosting nutrition programme were blazoned with sincerity and honesty in the documentary.

Treasures of the Past - Visioning the Future of Health Promotion in Raigad

 Fr Richard Quadros SVD

The Holistic Health Promotion Trust (HPT) defines holistic health as the balance between mind, body, and spirit, emphasising prevention as the key to sustainable well-being. A sound body, a sharp mind, and a peaceful soul contribute to a fulfilling life.

In the evolving landscape of traditional wisdom vs modern lifestyles, India's rich health traditions—naturopathy, yoga, and Ayurveda—have long been recognised for their preventive and healing benefits. However, the rapid pace of globalisation and urbanisation has significantly altered dietary habits, leading to the decline of nutrient-rich traditional foods like finger millet (ragi), which has been largely replaced by rice in Raigad's tribal belt.

Globally, younger generations are increasingly drawn to processed and fast foods, contributing to a surge in obesity and mental health concerns. A study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) revealed that 93% of children consume packaged foods regularly, while 25% eat ultra-processed fast food more than once a week—a trend that raises serious public health concerns.

HPT's holistic approach to health promotion is remarkable. Unlike episodic medical care, HPT emphasises integrated and preventive healthcare through Health Communication: Utilising verbal, digital, and print media to educate diverse communities using culturally sensitive methods and Health Education: Conducting lectures, workshops, and interactive training tailored to community needs.

From Vision to Sustainability - Testimonies of collaborations and partnerships

Prof. Dr Lidwin Dias

The philosophical value of the Vision and Mission statements are in congruence with the social ideals contained in the Preamble of the Constitution of India. The Vision of the College strives to contribute to building a new social order in the country, based on human dignity and social justice, and work with the preferential option for the vulnerable and exploited groups in society, both locally and globally. The Vision summarises the institution's ideological leanings and value orientation, inspired by its founding members. The Mission of the College is to build a cadre of young committed professionals with a global perspective and a strong value base of compassion, personal integrity, moderation, tolerance and self-respect.

Health Promotion Trust under the leadership of Fr Rocky Banz, an alumnus of the College of Social Work (1986), has truly embodied the Vision and Mission of the College. Health Promotion Trust has reached marginalised communities for Preventive Health Care. Parimala Veluvali and Jayesh Surisett's article on Alumni Engagement in Higher Education Institutions: Perspectives from India affirms the connection between alumni engagement and institution building. The cooperation between the university and its alumni facilitates the connection between academia and industry, and serves as a precursor for an inclusive environment, facilitating the exchange of experiences and knowledge sharing.

What was significant and inspiring for the College of Social Work is that our illustrious alumnus, Fr Rocky Banz, including his team of young spirited and graceful women, have returned to its roots at the College of Social Work, time and again in various capacities. Fr Rocky has nurtured the scope of collaboration with the College and provided unconditional support to its interventions for over a decade.

Dharavi Island follows the path of Preventive Healthcare

 Sr Christel Tuscano, SRA

Body, mind, and soul,

Unified with each breath's flow,

Self-nurtured, made whole."

The Haiku above reflects the essence of the Health Promotion Trust's holistic health approach that moves beyond curative to promotive, where the individual is responsible to protect their health. Gautam Buddha stated, "Every individual is the author of his own health or disease."

The Health Promotion Trust (HPT) began its journey on Dharavi Island in 2011, primarily to spread awareness about preventive healthcare practises through programmes based on community ownership of the disease prevention process.

HPT initiated a two-year preventive health module through collaboration with the local Church's community-based organisations. Till date, more than 1,000 trainees from six community centres have completed this training, and received their Barefoot Health Worker certificate, making them eligible to disseminate health information to members of their community.

Following this successful outcome, Suryodaya  Samaj Kendra, the Social Outreach centre of Holy Magi Church coordinated with HPT to conduct six batches of preventive health training for over 500 seniors of the parish. Mrs Loretta, a senior citizen attendee shared, "The lessons learnt in the training were an awakening call to relook into my current lifestyle practices that sooner or later could have drastic health consequences. The training covered a wide range of healthcare topics, including nutrition and diet, water therapy, exercise, pranayama, kitchen clinic measures, and home remedies. I feel empowered with the knowledge, and I am a living testimony to the health changes I have seen after adhering to the teachings. It is rightly said – health is in our hands."

Ash Wednesday : A Call to Repent!

Prof. Merlin Rengith Ambrose DCL

Each year, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. This year, Ash Wednesday will be on March 5. Ash Wednesday centres on the Christian's focus on repentance and prayer, typically through personal and communal confession during 40 days of fasting and penance that lead up to Easter Sunday. Christ's faithful have the sign of the Cross made on their forehead with ashes to mark this holy day. While Ash Wednesday and Lent have been observed by Catholics and some Protestants for centuries, today, more Protestants also choose to observe the tradition.

 Biblical Roots

Though Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, Lent is the older of the two. Lent was established and accepted only after the early Church sorted out how to calculate the date of Easter. At the Council of Nicaea in AD 325, "all the Churches agreed that Easter, the Christian Passover, should be celebrated on the Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox." Since the spring equinox usually falls on March 21, the date of Easter can occur anytime between March 22 and April 25. Depending on when Easter is, Ash Wednesday can fall on any date from February 4 to March 11.

The Council of Nicaea established a 40-day fasting period for Lent, rooted in Biblical writings. God sent rain on the Earth for 40 days and 40 nights, when Noah and his family went into the Ark (Genesis 7:4). Moses sat atop Mount Sinai receiving instructions from God for 40 days (Exodus 24:18). Moses repented and fasted in response to the making of the Golden calf (Exodus 34:27-28). Elijah "walked forty days and forty nights to the mountain of God, Horeb" when he fled Jezebel's wrath (1 Kings 19:8). The 40 days of Lent, however, are primarily identified with the time Jesus spent in the desert fasting, praying, and being tempted (Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13, and Luke 4:1-13). But though the length of Lent was set by the Council, it's start date in relation to Easter was still undecided.

In 601 A.D., the start date of Lent was established. Pope Gregory I (540-604) moved the beginning of Lent to 46 days before Easter, and simultaneously established Ash Wednesday. This allowed for 40 days of fasting, with only one full meal, and no meat to be consumed, with six Sundays counted as feast days, when fasting did not apply, for a total of 46 days.

A Nice Lenten Challenge?

Fr Fio Mascarenhas SJ

God's special message for many of us in Lent may well be 2 Pet 3:11,12.

“What sort of persons ought you to be, in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for, and hastening, the coming of the Day of God!"

While pointing out an implication of the Jubilee Year motto - "Pilgrims of Hope" - it also teaches us that "true disciples" of Jesus (not mere "Sunday Christian disciples") are called to a "partnership" with God, in which the disciples' role is two-fold: to "wait for" and to "hasten"(!) the coming final victory of God over all evil.

To "hasten" implies that how we live our daily lives as "disciples" and "co-heirs" of Jesus has an impact on the timing of God's final and definitive victory over Evil! In other words, the quality of our discipleship ("lives of holiness and godliness") actually hastens the "Day of God!" The text is, therefore, a wonderful confirmation that God takes seriously our divine-human partnership, and gives full importance to it.

When two human partners start a business enterprise, both partners, in order to justify the name "partner," have proportionate responsibilities and privileges, regarding decision-making, profit-sharing, etc. Should only one partner be active, doing all the work, taking all the decisions, etc., the other "partner" cannot merit the title "co-partner." The same is true of the divine-human partnership. Were God to decide and do everything, so that the human "partner" did not really count, then it would not be a true partnership!

It is also true that if we are part of a divine-human partnership, the human partner cannot make all the decisions one-sidedly, ignoring the divine partner. Hence, the apostle St Peter rightly says that Jesus' disciples must both "wait for" (God is the senior partner) and "hasten" (because we are real partners) the Second Coming of Christ!

The opposite effect is that of our delaying its arrival. Granted that our holy lives can "hasten" the Second Coming, then our unholy lives actually "delay" it! So St Peter adds, "The Lord is not slow about His promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance" (2 Pet 3:9).