Fasting from gossip and negativity this Lent

Living Lent has been described as an invitation to the faithful to use social media to grow closer to God during the sacred Lenten season.

It has been launched on Twitter and Instagram, and is offering short daily suggestions for Lent. These include prayer and scripture suggestions; opportunities for penance and fasting, for example fasting from gossip, fasting from negativity online, giving up certain foods; availing of the Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession; suggestions of charitable acts like donating to Trócaire and other charities; donating your time by helping your own family, school, parish; and, by behaving in a charitable way towards all those whom we meet.

Archbishop Eamon said: “As we prepare for Easter, our spiritual conversion can be nourished by daily actions, thoughts, prayers and words. During Lent we also offer a particular sacrifice in our personal lives to help strengthen our relationship with the all-merciful Lord.

“In his message for Lent 2020, ‘We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God’, we are encouraged by Pope Francis, who reminds us: ‘Life is born of the love of God our Father from the desire to grant us life in abundance (cf. Jn 10:10)’.

“I invite everyone to read the Holy Father’s short Lenten message. To complement his text, our #LivingLent initiative on Twitter and Instagram, and online resources on www.catholicbishops.ie, offer suggestions for fasting, prayer and charity - the three pillars of the Lenten season. The objective of our Lenten digital initiative is to assist our spiritual preparation for the joy and hope of the Easter season.”