INTRODUCTION
Welcome to Lent. The Church calls all Her members to make a conscious decision of conversion. How beautiful it is when we welcome Lent with a deeper understanding of this holy season. In his Opening Message for Lent 2026 (a), written on February 13, 2026, the Holy Father Leo XIV underscored: "Lent is a time in which the Church, guided by a sense of maternal care, invites us to place the mystery of God back in the center of our lives, in order to find renewal in our faith and keep our hearts from being consumed by the anxieties and distractions of daily life." Furthermore, Pope Leo XIV urged all Christians to embrace three paths of conversion: listening, fasting, and community, which support us in living this Lent more fully.
The messages of Lent are not the invention of any individual in the Church, but have become a cherished tradition over time. Sixty years ago, on February 17, 1966, Pope Paul VI issued the apostolic constitution Paenitemini (b) on fasting and abstinence, presenting many theological perspectives on Lenten practice. In this short paper, I seek to reconsider some significant issues in this constitution. The final part of this essay will address today's approaches as articulated by Pope Leo XIV.
Previous parts:
2. Penitence has its origin in the Old Testament
3. Jesus Christ, The Invitation to "Metanoia"
5. Pope Leo XIV and Message for Lent
Building on the foundation of the universal call to holiness, the Church continually invites all Her members to carry forward the spirit of holiness that originated in the early days, remains present today, and will endure into the future. This ongoing journey expresses a constant attitude of conversion, moving each day from "becoming" to truly "being."
During Lent 2026, Pope Leo XIV called on all the faithful to focus on three central practices: Listening, fasting, and fostering the Communal life of the Church. These practices require Christians to nurture relationships with God, the Church, and fellow members through welcoming, accepting, and allowing the Word of God to transform their lives. As the Pope emphasizes: "There is a relationship between the word, our acceptance of it, and the transformation it brings about." According to the Pope, this relationship can be truly received only with a "docile spirit"—yet it is essential that such docility be balanced with discerning wisdom.
Listening
Listening is the first practice that Pope Leo XIV asks all Christians to embrace. As the Pope notes, "The willingness to listen is the first way we demonstrate our desire to enter into a relationship with someone." In today's world, people often prioritize action over attentive listening. This is not merely an issue for a few individuals within the Church, but a widespread condition affecting both Catholics and non-Catholics. There are several reasons for this tendency, and a few are outlined below:
a. Apathy: It is increasingly common to see young people absorbed in their laptops or mobile phones, families not sharing meals together, and children's insensitivity going unaddressed. There is a lack of feeling toward beggars and the poor, indifferent participation in communal work, and a numbness to the pain of others.
b. Arrogance: Many relationships are broken because people insist on always being right and refuse to accept others' perspectives. This overbearing attitude drives people away, often making repentance too late. Jesus illustrated this in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) as a warning against arrogance.
c. Hypocrisy: How does hypocrisy relate to listening? While not a direct cause, insincere living and self-serving motives undermine genuine communication. People who act hypocritically often depend on others for their own success. The Gospels contain many of Jesus' warnings (Matt 6:1-18; 15:7-9; 23:1-36; Luke 11:37-54; 12:1) cautioning Christians against this deceitful attitude.
To avoid falling into these negative attitudes that hinder true listening, Paenitemini encourages everyone in the Church to practice the virtue of penitence, which is:
"exercised in persevering faithfulness to the duties of one's state in life, in the acceptance of the difficulties arising from one's work and from human coexistence, in a patient bearing of the trials of earthly life and of the utter insecurity which pervades it."
Pope Leo uses the example of God, who actively listens and responds to His people. The most important aspect of God's attitude is that He acts upon what He hears from people's requests. Therefore, "openness to listening" is a necessary response for the people of God. Jesus Himself walked among the marginalized and the poor, listened to them, and then blessed them through both words and deeds.
Fasting
Although the call to fasting is not new, it remains ever relevant. Each year, Christians experience Lent differently than in previous years. Why? Because everyone is continually growing, and each Lent brings a renewed awareness of the laws and their meaning. As Pope Leo shares, echoing Saint Augustine, there is "the tension between the present moment and the future fulfillment that characterizes this custody of the heart."
Paenitemini outlines the laws of abstinence and fasting that the Church calls every Christian to practice:
"... all the faithful are required to do penance. (Chapter III, I.1)
... The days of penitence to be observed under obligation throughout the Church are all Fridays and Ash Wednesday (Chapter III, II.1)
... forbids the use of meat, but not of eggs, the products of milk or condiments made of animal fat. (Chapter III, III.1)
... The law of fasting allows only one full meal a day, but does not prohibit taking some food in the morning and evening (Chapter III, III.2)
... the law of abstinence those are bound who have completed their 14th year of age. To the law of fast those of the faithful are bound who have completed their 21st year and up until the beginning of their 60th year (Chapter III, IV)."
However, if Christians focus only on the tension between laws and daily life, the true meaning of Lent is lost. The warning in Luke 12:20 -"You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?" - serves as a sobering reminder from God. Ultimately, the goal for every Christian is to turn toward God. Fasting, therefore, is not simply about self-control or purification. As the Pope Leo emphasizes, "it is directed towards God and doing good."
A kind attitude is essential for Christians to cultivate during this Lent. Is kindness easy? In theory, it is simple to write about kindness, but living it out as God's will is never easy. True kindness requires us to "practice fasting in accordance with its evangelical character and avoid the temptation that leads to pride; it must be lived in faith and humility."
Jesus Christ modeled this kindness, accepting everything in His human life except sin. His ultimate act of kindness was His death on the Holy Cross to redeem humanity. Learning from Christ, Christians have a strong foundation to shape themselves according to God's will. In practical terms, Pope Leo encourages believers: "Let us begin by disarming our language, avoiding harsh words and rash judgment, refraining from slander and speaking ill of those who are not present and cannot defend themselves."
Furthermore, Christians should ensure the Word of God is present in their lives at all times—by reading, contemplating, internalizing, and practicing it. Without the guidance of the Word, believers can easily stray from the right path. Alongside the Word, the sacraments and teachings of the Church are vital instruments supporting God's people on their spiritual journey.
Communal Aspect
In keeping with the Church’s desire that Her members become holy and live in communion, Christians must always remember that their vocation is rooted in relationships—with God, the Church, and all people, both Catholics and non-Catholics. The dangers of selfishness and indifference can isolate the Church in personal perspectives, causing individuals to reshape the Church and others according to their own imaginations.
Therefore, it is important to recall several core values from Paenitemini: "the Church is closely linked to Christ, [and] the penitence of the individual Christian also has an intimate relationship of its own with the whole ecclesial community." Pope Leo XIV further emphasizes this point:
"our parishes, families, ecclesial groups and religious communities are called to undertake a shared journey during Lent, in which listening to the word of God, as well as to the cry of the poor and of the earth, becomes part of our community life, and fasting a foundation for sincere repentance."
This challenge is present across all vocations in the Church. Bishops and priests may risk falling into clericalism, triumphalism, or legalism. Laypeople may forget the fundamental roles received in baptism, living only for themselves instead of for communion, for the evangelical spirit, and for belonging to God as one member among many.
Finally, with renewed awareness of their presence and responsibility, all believers in the new era—grounded in the Word of God and fasting—are called to "strive to make our communities places where the cry of those who suffer finds welcome, and listening opens paths towards liberation, making us ready and eager to contribute to building a civilization of love."
CONCLUSION
This short paper humbly discusses fasting and abstinence, the traditional practices of the Church in penance—especially during the Lenten journey. It is based on the Paenitemini Apostolic Constitution of Pope Paul VI (1966) and the Message of Holy Father Leo XIV for Lent 2026. Sixty years after the Church’s instructions following Vatican Council II, the formulas for fasting and abstinence have not changed the laws or practices. Yet, Pope Leo’s message once again deeply reminds all members of the Church about the true spirit of the Lenten journey, while also addressing practical actions that are relevant for people today.
This writing is structured in five parts: first, the Church’s universal call to holiness and conversion; second, the origins of fasting and abstinence in the Old Testament and the relationship between God and His people; third, the appearance of Jesus Christ in the New Testament and the call to "Metanoia," guiding all members of the Church toward sincere conversion; fourth, the opportunities Christians have to acquire the virtue of penance and discern true action through these practices; and finally, the call of Pope Leo XIV for Lent 2026. The Church, after Vatican Council II, continues to uphold this call—not out of stubborn attachment to tradition, but out of fidelity to the Truth and the desire that the People of God embrace it fully.
Toronto, Lent - Feb 25,2026
Author: Little Stream
Photos: Moon
Notes:
(a) Leo XIV. “Message of the Holy Father for Lent 2026.” Holy See Press Office, 13 Feb. 2026,
https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2026/02/13/260213d.html
(b) Paul VI. Paenitemini. 17 Feb. 1966,
https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_p-vi_apc_19660217_paenitemini.html
