Most Catholics are familiar with Lent as a time of spiritual preparation, penance and fasting.

But fewer Catholics might be aware that the Church offers a plenary indulgence during this holy season to those who seek one.

An indulgence — which has long been misunderstood both inside and outside Catholic circles — is defined as the “remission of temporal punishment due to sin.” Put more plainly, it’s a spiritual cleaning of the “mess” sin makes after a person has received the sacramental graces of confession and absolution.

Celebrate International Women’s Day on Sunday by following the example of one extraordinary woman, Mary, the Mother of God. So says Sr Carol Breslin, of the Medical Missionaries of Mary, who notes that also on 8th March, it is the UN Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace.

Jesus Christ, you traveled through towns and villages “curing every disease and illness.” At your command, the sick were made well. Come to our aid now, in the midst of the global spread of the coronavirus, that we may experience your healing love.

Heal those who are sick with the virus. May they regain their strength and health through quality medical care.

Heal us from our fear, which prevents nations from working together and neighbors from helping one another.

Heal us from our pride, which can make us claim invulnerability to a disease that knows no borders.

The Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches has expressed support for the annual ‘Pro terra Sancta’ collection, which will be taken up at Masses around the world on Good Friday. Following is the text:

Your Excellency,

South Sudan is the world’s newest country. After its split from the Republic of Sudan in 2011, the young nation has already seen almost 400,000 deaths in the wake of its civil war, which started in 2013.

Nearly 60 per cent of South Sudan’s population is Christian. Of the remaining population, around one-third practises traditional African religions, while only six per cent adhere to Islam. These demographics are starkly contrasted against Sudan, which has a population that is 97 per cent Muslim.

Every year, as the Church prepares to begin Lent, the pope releases a letter to assist the faithful in having a holy and fruitful season. The Lenten message often conveys some area of spiritual or moral theology that is close to the heart of the pontiff and is something that he wants to stress in the life of the Church.

This year, Pope Francis’ message revolved around a verse from Saint Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians: “We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

When leaders in South Sudan missed a second deadline to implement a peace agreement and form a transitional government in November 2019, Pope Francis stepped in saying he would pay the troubled country a visit if they were able to end the country’s nearly 7-year conflict.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols offers his reflections on the painting by Italian artist Giovanni Battista Cima da Conegliano titled 'The Incredulity of Saint Thomas'.

During Lent we walk a path of reflection and preparation for 40 days before celebrating the Risen Christ at Easter.

The miracle of the Resurrection was too much for St. Thomas who needed to put his finger into the pierced side of Jesus before he would truly believe.

According to the U.S Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), the guidelines for fasting and abstinence during Lent (February 26 – April 12, 2020) are as follows:

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence.

Here are nine things to know and share...

1. What is Ash Wednesday?

Ash Wednesday is the day that Lent begins (see: 9 things you need to know about Lent).

The name comes from the fact that a particular rite is always celebrated on this Wednesday in which the faithful have ashes put on their foreheads.

According to the Roman Missal:

In the course of today’s Mass, ashes are blessed and distributed.

These are made from the olive branches or branches of other trees that were blessed the previous year [on Palm/Passion Sunday].