MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS
BENEDICT XVI
FOR LENT 2008

"Christ made Himself poor for you" (2 Cor 8,9)

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

Each year, Lent offers us a providential opportunity to deepen the meaning and value of our Christian lives, and it stimulates us to rediscover the mercy of God so that we, in turn, become more merciful toward our brothers and sisters. In the Lenten period, the Church makes it her duty to propose some specific tasks that accompany the faithful concretely in this process of interior renewal: these are prayer, fasting and almsgiving. For this year's Lenten Message, I wish to spend some time reflecting on the practice of almsgiving, which represents a specific way to assist those in need and, at the same time, an exercise in self-denial to free us from attachment to worldly goods.

Click here to read the full text of the Holy Father's Message for Lent.

The Holy Father touched on this message at the General Audience on Ash Wednesday. Click the picture below to view highlights from the General Audience.

There is a also a link to the Holy Father's Message for Lent in the Resources for Lent section of the Web site.