Today, in a global culture dominated by the notion that everything in the human condition is plastic, malleable, and changeable by acts of human will — the insistence that nothing is given — the question on which the future of Christian mission and service to the world depends is, “Who are we?” Are we simply congealed stardust, the happy but accidental byproduct of billions of years of random cosmic biochemical forces?

As tensions escalate following the Feb. 28 U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran, we share this prayer to St. Francis of Assisi — a timeless intercessor for peace — which Pope Leo XIV shared with leaders of the Franciscan order on the beginning of the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ death in January 2026.

First, it’s fine to give up wine for Lent but it’s better to give up whining. Lent is the perfect time to examine ourselves. Do we whine too much? Second, let’s replace whining with mutual encouragement, bonds of charity, unity and fraternity.  

During this Lent, I pray that we will all turn to the Cross and find there the undeniable proof of God’s personal, unconditional love.

When a colleague reached out to invite me to a baby shower, I started thinking about whether I had time to make a diaper cake.

The bishops have shown great courage in challenging this status quo of mass deportations. Recognizing the values of this country as a beacon of liberty, and recognizing the teachings of the Gospel regarding the human dignity of each person and our responsibility toward those in need, the bishops have seized a teaching moment.

Through testimony, these young adults are forming one another. They are building a culture of encounter. Lent reminds us that conversion often begins with listening. The Church must listen not only to Scripture and tradition, but also to the voices of how others are living the Gospel in today’s world.

The Lenten season provides us with no shortage of holy men and women to discover and model our lives after. The following five individuals, whose feasts typically appear on the liturgical calendar during Lent, can help us overcome some of the greatest obstacles that we face.

What John Paul observed to the General Council of the Polish episcopate in June 1979 — that Catholicism has effective weapons against tyranny when it is “strong with its own strength,” its spiritual strength — remains true today, not least with respect to Russia and China.

Prayers of intercession, where we ask God to help other people in their needs, are also prayers of petition. Since praying for both the living and the dead is a spiritual work of mercy, it wouldn’t seem fitting to give this up for Lent!