Office for Social Ministry
“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.” (Pope Leo XIV, message for Lent 2026)
As we begin this sacred season of Lent, Pope Leo XIV calls us to create space in our hearts for compassion and conversion. Even amid the demands of daily life, the Holy Father reassures us that peace of mind and heart is possible when we intentionally listen — to God and to one another — and abstain from whatever distracts us.
Lent, then, is not about merely giving things up; it is about tuning our lives to listen closely to Christ’s call to merciful love.
In his message for Lent, the pope reminds us that listening in prayer is not passive. When we prayerfully listen, something begins to change. Resentment loosens its grip; fear gives way to trust — we begin to see others not as problems to be solved or strangers to avoid, but as brothers and sisters.
Pope Leo reminds us that our God is one who listens especially to the cry of the suffering. Lent invites us to learn that same attentiveness to the cries around us today: families under financial strain, migrants seeking safety, elders who feel forgotten and young people burdened by uncertainty.
If prayerful listening opens the door, fasting prepares the heart. By setting aside certain comforts, we rediscover what we truly hunger for — loving relationships, justice, peace and communion with God.
Pope Leo also offers a practical suggestion: to fast from hurtful words. Harsh speech and rash judgment can wound deeply and fracture relationships. What might happen if this Lent we chose patient compassion over sarcastic criticism?
He encouragingly says, “Let us strive to measure our words and cultivate kindness and respect in our families, among our friends, at work, on social media, in political debates, in the media and in Christian communities. In this way, words of hatred will give way to words of hope and peace.”
Prayerful listening and purposeful fasting draw us out of ourselves and into a shared journey of merciful action. Pope Leo invites us to walk and work together this Lent: “Let us strive to make our communities places where the cry of those who suffer finds welcome, and listening opens paths toward liberation, making us ready and eager to contribute to building a civilization of love.”
For the full text of Pope Leo’s message for Lent, visit www.humandevelopment.va.
In the United States, one practical, fulfilling way to live this journey is through the Catholic Relief Services-CRS Rice Bowl initiative. Sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, this annual program brings together prayer, fasting and almsgiving in a way that connects local Lenten practices to global hope.
At the heart of the CRS Rice Bowl program is the Catholic social teaching principle of solidarity: We are one human family. When one part of the body suffers, all suffer, but when one ohana survives and thrives, we all as one human family grow.
This Lent, through the Rice Bowl Stories of Hope, we can meet families in Ghana, Guatemala and Timor-Leste. The poor in those nations have very limited access to health and nutrition services, but this is also where CRS works with local partners to support early childhood development so families can grow strong in body and mind.
For example, in Walewale, Ghana, CRS helps families live healthy lives through an early childhood development project that also provides new ways for parents to support their families.
From the CRS Rice Bowl website: “Georgina was one of the first volunteers in this project and is now a lead mother in her community, where she trains female neighbors in what she has learned. A mother of three, Georgina brings two of her children to the project to learn how to make simple, inexpensive toys that engage children’s senses and stimulate learning and development.”
Mothers make play spaces at home for their children and teach new moms what they’ve learned so other children can thrive. Georgina says, “This program has helped us change our lives and our children.”
During Lent, CRS Rice Bowl resources are available at all Catholic parishes and schools in Hawaii. Rice Bowl resources for prayer, fasting and almsgiving help us listen to God, reflect on our shared realities as one human family, experience in a small way what it means to go without, and respond to others in need with generosity.
Since 1975, dioceses across the U.S. have raised billions of dollars through CRS Rice Bowl to address hunger, build healthier communities and see the face of Christ in others around the world. For more on the CRS Rice Bowl program, visit www.crsricebowl.org
The CRS Rice Bowl Lenten program can hopefully help our journey of prayer, fasting and almsgiving through drawing us closer to Christ in our global family. The following is a prayer CRS proposes for Rice Bowl participants: “God of hope, you journey with us through the desert. You challenge us to become more like Christ. During this Lenten season, may our prayers, fasting and almsgiving give us the courage to go forth and share our gifts with the world. May our encounter with you allow us to bring hope to our global family.”
Mahalo,
Your friends in the Office for Social Ministry
‘Red red’ bean stew
Eating a simple meatless meal during Lent can help us reflect on the hunger that many people face worldwide; it can also help us make a donation to help ensure all in our global family have access to enough nutritious food. ”Red red” is a beloved Ghanaian dish of black-eyed peas cooked in a red sauce and often served with fried plantains. This hearty, protein-rich meal is popular not just for its taste but also for its affordability and nutritional benefits. This dish requires soaking dried black-eyed peas overnight. You can substitute canned black-eyed peas or another canned variety, like garbanzo beans, to decrease the preparation and cook time.
Ingredients:
2 cups dried black-eyed peas, soaked overnight, or canned beans
1/2 cup palm oil or vegetable oil
2 medium onions, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1-inch piece of grated fresh ginger
1-2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
Salt to taste
2-3 ripe plantains, peeled and sliced
Pinch of salt
Oil for frying
Preparation:
If using dried black-eyed peas, after soaking, rinse them and cook in water until tender, about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Drain and set aside.
In a large pot over medium heat, heat the palm oil. Add the chopped onions, garlic and ginger. Saute until fragrant and translucent.
Stir in the tomato paste and smoked paprika. Add cayenne pepper if using. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
Add the chopped tomatoes and simmer until the tomatoes break down into a sauce.
Add the black-eyed peas to the stew and mix well. Let it simmer for another 10-15 minutes. Season with salt to taste.
In a frying pan over medium heat, heat the oil. Sprinkle a pinch of salt over the plantain slices and fry them until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels.
Plate the bean stew alongside fried plantains and enjoy it with steamed rice or on its own.