MESSAGE OF POPE LEO XIV
FOR LENT 2026
_________________________
Listening and Fasting:
Lent as a Time of Conversion
Dear brothers and sisters,
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.
Every path towards conversion begins by allowing the word of God to touch our hearts and welcoming it with a docile spirit. There is a relationship between the word, our acceptance of it and the transformation it brings about. For this reason, the Lenten journey is a welcome opportunity to heed the voice of the Lord and renew our commitment to following Christ, accompanying him on the road to Jerusalem, where the mystery of his passion, death and resurrection will be fulfilled.
Listening
This year, I would first like to consider the importance of making room for the word through listening. The willingness to listen is the first way we demonstrate our desire to enter into relationship with someone.
In revealing himself to Moses in the burning bush, God himself teaches us that listening is one of his defining characteristics: “I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry” (Ex 3:7). Hearing the cry of the oppressed is the beginning of a story of liberation in which the Lord calls Moses, sending him to open a path of salvation for his children who have been reduced to slavery.
Our God is one who seeks to involve us. Even today he shares with us what is in his heart. Because of this, listening to the word in the liturgy teaches us to listen to the truth of reality. In the midst of the many voices present in our personal lives and in society, Sacred Scripture helps us to recognize and respond to the cry of those who are anguished and suffering. In order to foster this inner openness to listening, we must allow God to teach us how to listen as he does. We must recognize that “the condition of the poor is a cry that, throughout human history, constantly challenges our lives, societies, political and economic systems, and, not least, the Church.” [1]
Fasting
If Lent is a time for listening, fasting is a concrete way to prepare ourselves to receive the word of God. Abstaining from food is an ancient ascetic practice that is essential on the path of conversion. Precisely because it involves the body, fasting makes it easier to recognize what we “hunger” for and what we deem necessary for our sustenance. Moreover, it helps us to identify and order our “appetites,” keeping our hunger and thirst for justice alive and freeing us from complacency. Thus, it teaches us to pray and act responsibly towards our neighbor.
With spiritual insight, Saint Augustine helps us to understand the tension between the present moment and the future fulfilment that characterizes this custody of the heart. He observes that: “In the course of earthly life, it is incumbent upon men and women to hunger and thirst for justice, but to be satisfied belongs to the next life. Angels are satisfied with this bread, this food. The human race, on the other hand, hungers for it; we are all drawn to it in our desire. This reaching out in desire expands the soul and increases its capacity.” [2] Understood in this way, fasting not only permits us to govern our desire, purifying it and making it freer, but also to expand it, so that it is directed towards God and doing good.
However, in order 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. It must be grounded in communion with the Lord, because “those who are unable to nourish themselves with the word of God do not fast properly.” [3] As a visible sign of our inner commitment to turn away from sin and evil with the help of grace, fasting must also include other forms of self-denial aimed at helping us to acquire a more sober lifestyle, since “austerity alone makes the Christian life strong and authentic.” [4]
In this regard, I would like to invite you to a very practical and frequently unappreciated form of abstinence: that of refraining from words that offend and hurt our neighbor. Let us begin by disarming our language, avoiding harsh words and rash judgement, refraining from slander and speaking ill of those who are not present and cannot defend themselves. Instead, 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.
Together
Finally, Lent emphasizes the communal aspect of listening to the word and fasting. The Bible itself underlines this dimension in multiple ways. For example, the Book of Nehemiah recounts how the people gathered to listen to the public reading of the Law, preparing to profess their faith and worship through fasting, so as to renew the covenant with God (cf. 9:1-3).
Likewise, 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. In this context, conversion refers not only to one’s conscience, but also to the quality of our relationships and dialogue. It means allowing ourselves to be challenged by reality and recognizing what truly guides our desires — both within our ecclesial communities and as regards humanity’s thirst for justice and reconciliation.
Dear friends, let us ask for the grace of a Lent that leads us to greater attentiveness to God and to the least among us. Let us ask for the strength that comes from the type of fasting that also extends to our use of language, so that hurtful words may diminish and give way to a greater space for the voice of others. Let us 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.
I impart my heartfelt blessing upon all of you and your Lenten journey.
From the Vatican, 5 February 2026, Memorial of Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr
LEO PP. XIV
____________________________________________________
[1] Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi Te (4 October 2025), 9.
[2] Augustine The Usefulness of Fasting, 1, 1.
[3] Benedict XVI, Catechesis (9 March 2011).
[4] Paul VI, Catechesis (8 February1978).
Guidelines for Fast & Abstinence
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence.
For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person may eat one full meal and two smaller meals, provided the total does not equal a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards.
Members of the Eastern Catholic Churches are to observe the particular law of their own sui iuris Church.
If possible, the fast on Good Friday continues until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night), as the "paschal fast," to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus and to prepare ourselves to share more fully and celebrate more readily his Resurrection.
Message from Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R.
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We are anticipating the release of the Rhode Island Attorney General’s report on his six-and-a-half-year historical review of clergy sexual abuse in Rhode Island dating back to 1950. Our diocese entered into this review voluntarily in 2019 in the interest of transparency and so that broader societal good could come from our experience, from the failures and successes of the past.
The report does not contain any new cases of abuse, and much of its content has already been widely publicized in the media over the decades. For many, this report will undoubtedly be a difficult and painful retelling of historical cases of abuse in our diocese. Catholics and members of the wider community alike have understandably been scandalized, demoralized, and angered by these heinous sins and crimes of the past.
I take this opportunity to apologize to the victim-survivors for the failures of Church personnel and others in past decades to protect them and keep them safe. I pledge to continue our support for them through our Office of Outreach and Victim Assistance programs.
I am confident that our diocese has robust and effective policies and practices in place. We have a sacred duty to protect children and vulnerable people. I take this responsibility very seriously. Our diocese meets and exceeds its obligations under the law in reporting allegations, cooperating with law enforcement, transparency, and most importantly ensuring safe environments for children in our parishes, schools, and ministries—which are thriving.
There are no accusations against clergy who are in active ministry today. Our clergy in Rhode Island are good and holy men, serving with devotion, and giving their lives to Christ and His Church. I am grateful to them for their witness and their ministry.
We will have additional information to share with you when the report is made available to the public by the Attorney General. Until then, know that I am praying for healing for victim-survivors who suffered grievously from clergy sexual abuse, and praying, too, for our diocese and the Church. I invite you to also join me in praying earnestly for these intentions. May God bless you all.
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Most Rev. Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R.
Bishop of Providence
It is with deep sadness and firm trust in our God that we share the passing of our beloved OLM Employee, Mr. David Belanger. For over a decade, David served as the Director of Facilities and Maintenance at Our Lady of Mercy School and also served as an adjunct member of the OLM Church Maintenance Team. OLM School and the OLM Parish Office will be closed on Thursday, February 5, for his Mass of Christian Burial. Funeral arrangements are listed below.
Click here to read his obituary. Please pray for the repose of his soul.
Funeral Arrangements
under the Direction of Hill-Skeffington Funeral Home
Wake Service
Wednesday, February 4
Calling Hours 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Urquahat Murphy Funeral Home
800 Greenwich Ave, Warwick, RI 02886
Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial
Thursday, February 5 at 10:00 am
Our Lady of Mercy Church
65 Third Street
East Greenwich, RI
Congratulations to our Newly Commissioned
OLM Altar Servers
Gabriel Aptt
Nicholas Archer
John Barrett
Frankie Bennett
Julian Buco
Oliver Colgan
Ellison "Ellie" Costa
Daniel Labrador IV
Alessio Longo
Alessandra Maggiacomo
Jagger Mulhearn
Daniel Quinn
Victor Salvas
Anna Simonelli
Congratulations to the OLM Confirmation Class of 2025
Daniel Juan Diego Anter
Lola John Berube
Calvin Matthew Buffington
Allison Elizabeth Burch
Cecilia Valentine Cambio
Joseph Michael Cozzo
Ryan Sebastian D'Orsi
Abigail Elizabeth D’Amato
Brendan Francis Danehy
Nathaniel Michael DeCesare
Stephanie Rose DiGianfilippo
Gemma Gemma Ferranti
Lilly Maximilian Flood
Sienna Marianne Giardino
Grant John Paul Goudie
Madeline Aquinas Graves
Molly Gianna Hanlon
Margaret Catherine Haun
Lucas Peter Hepel
Kathryn Adele Ingham
Ryan Aquinas Johnston
Alexa Solanus Kanelos
Andrew Andrew Kavanagh
Mia Catherine Kelly
Nathanael Anthony Lamendola
Katie Dorothy LaPlante
Andrew Lorenzo Liwanag
Benjamin Maximillian Magiera
Owen Sebastian McCall
Sofia Catherine Medici
Annabel Margaret Morgan
Samuel Anthony Murphy
Ally Bakhita Napolitano
Noah Sebastian Napolitano
Lola Joan Oberg
Ava Lorenzo Ocfemia
James Maximilian Ohare
Marco Francisco Paletta
Anthony Anthony Risk
Siena Elizabeth Rocchio
Josephine Catherine Rozen
Penelope Teresa Ruggiero
Catherine Teresa Sheeran
Charlotte Anne Sheeran
Erin Elizabeth Sheeran
Caroline Teresa Smith
Gavin Nicholas Solas
Owen John Paul Sowa
Ella Valentine Stevens
Josephine Joan Sweeney
Mason Sebastian Thibeault
Serafina Thérèse Trotta
John Anthony Tsonos
Eliza Elijah Watkins
Jake Michael Weber
Griffin John Welsh
Bishop Blesses Newly Renovated Library
The Most Reverend Bruce Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., Bishop of the Diocese of Providence, visited the OLM Parish Community on Wednesday, September 24, to celebrate Mass, visit with students, faculty, staff, and families at school, and bless the newly-renovated school library.
During his homily at Mass, Bishop Lewandowski encouraged the students to put mercy into action, reaching out in kindness and compassion when they see someone in need. A dynamic homilist, the Bishop had the entire student body on their feet, chanting “Mercy begins with Me.” Mass was con-celebrated by OLM Pastor Father Bernard Healey and Associate Pastor Father Joseph Brodeur, Father Daniel Mahoney, Pastor at St. Pius X in Westerly, and Father Daniel Proccaccini, Pastor of St. Francis DeSales in North Kingstown.
Following the Mass, the Bishop proceeded to the newly renovated OLM School Library, where middle schoolers were waiting to greet him. The library renovations were underwritten by Simon and Sinead Campion, whose daughter, Allison, was a member of the OLM class of 2019. The library is now named the Murray Library, in honor of George and Annette Murray, Mrs. Campion’s parents.
After a brief collation, the Bishop visited several classrooms to meet with students. In Mrs. Jennifer Nygren’s Fifth Grade Classroom, he blessed a statue of the newly canonized Saint Carlo Acutis. He was especially happy to meet the students in Ms. Jean Perretta’s second-grade classroom, who are preparing for the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion this year.
The Bishop was very pleased with the display of the “Mercy 21” initiative, which he instituted throughout the Diocese for 21 Days this month. Under the direction of Technology Teacher Mrs. Jacqueline DeNuccio, students created flyers in computer class, highlighting various ways to live out the spiritual and corporal works of mercy and the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.
