Message of Pope Leo for Lent 2026 (awaiting)

About The MJD Lenten Campaign

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly (Give Freely), to love mercy (Love Deeply) and to walk humbly (Live Simply) with your God.” 

 - Micah 6:8 

Lenten Season 2026

Malacca Johore Diocese Lenten Journey By Sr. Margarete Sta. Maria, FdCC (Canossian Sisters) 

This Lenten Journey is structured into three distinct phases, centered on the theme 

“Live Simply, Love Deeply, Give Freely.”

It is both a practical and reflective journey, inviting us to meaningful lifestyle changes rooted in faith—moving from preparation to action, and finally to reflection. 

Below is an overview of what to expect in each phase: 

Phase 1: Preparation Ash Wednesday – 3rd Sunday of Lent 

This first phase invites us to enter Lent intentionally, guided by the question: 

How is Jesus inviting me to make practical lifestyle changes rooted in faith during this season of Lent? 

It is a time to examine our lives, attitudes, and habits—learning to live more simply, love more deeply, and open ourselves to generosity. This phase prepares our hearts and minds for Faith in Action in Phase 2. 

Phase 2: Doing → Being (Faith in Action) 4th Sunday of Lent – 5th Sunday of Lent 

“Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty?” The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Matthew 25:35–40) 

This phase is a call to action and service, where faith moves beyond words into lived experience. It may involve feeding the hungry, visiting the lonely, caring for the sick and the elderly, or even something as simple—and powerful—as listening attentively to another. Through these acts of love, we begin to encounter Christ in the least, allowing our actions to shape who we are becoming. 

Phase 3: Reflection Holy Week During Holy Week, we contemplate Jesus offering himself completely in love through his Passion—the ultimate expression of service. 

In this final phase, we are invited to reflect prayerfully: 

● What is Jesus saying to me through my experiences of service in Phase 2? 

● What have I felt, encountered, or struggled with? 

● How has my Faith in Action deepened my prayer and relationship with God? This is a time to listen deeply, allowing our experiences and prayers to transform our hearts as we journey toward Easter. 

About Lenten Campaign Resources 

Lenten Campaign 2026 is supported with appropriate and easy-to-use resources for parishes, BECs and homes. The Campaign will also actively promote awareness and education online and through social media, and be regularly disseminated on social networks so that the faithful would participate more effectively. 

The exercises and activities are aimed at building awareness and better understanding and are intended to be undertaken individually and/ or in groups.

In Lent 2026, let's embrace the essence of the season with a simple message: “Live Simply, Love Deeply, Give Freely.”

The Quiet Revolution of the Heart

As we enter Lent 2026, many of us feel the "weight" of the world before we even begin our fast. We are often told that Lent is about doing more or giving up things we love. But this year, our theme calls us to something different: a quiet revolution of the heart.

To Live Simply

In a world that constantly demands our attention and tells us we need "more" to be happy, living simply is a radical act. For those of us in the thick of daily life, this doesn't mean moving to a monastery. It means clearing the clutter of our schedules and our minds to make room for God. It’s about asking, "Does this thing/habit bring me closer to peace, or does it just keep me busy?" When we strip away the excess, we finally have the space to breathe and listen.

To Love Deeply

It is easy to love the world in a general sense, but it is hard to love deeply in the specific, messy details of our day. Deep love is found in the patience we show a difficult colleague, the undivided attention we give our children when we’re exhausted, and the grace we extend to ourselves when we fail. This Lent, we are invited to move past "surface-level" kindness and dive into the kind of love that requires us to be truly present.

To Give Freely

Giving is often measured by our bank accounts, but the most precious currency we have is our spirit. To give freely means to offer our time, our forgiveness, and our encouragement without expecting a "thank you" or a "return on investment." It is the realization that everything we have is a gift, and it only truly becomes ours when we are willing to let it go for the sake of another.

A Prayer for Lent 2026

"Lord, help me to unclutter my life so I can see You. Help me to open my heart so I can truly see my neighbor. And help me to open my hands so I can let go of what I don’t need, to give someone else what they do."

Phase 1

A journey of LOVE 

Love can often feel heavy… heavy in spirit, soul, body, heart, or mind. What does ‘heavy love’ really mean?“ William Shakespeare, in Romeo and Juliet, describes love as “Love is heavy and light, bright and dark, hot and cold, sick and healthy, asleep and awake—it’s everything except what it is!” In other words, depending on your lens, state of mind, or peace of heart, love can often feel the exact opposite of what it truly is at its core. 

No matter whether you are talking about love of self or love toward others, it can feel heavy if we believe we need to generate the love ourselves. It truly depends where we believe love comes from–ourselves or God. 

As Christians, we can rest in the truth that the foundation of love is God, expressed to us in His Word and by His Spirit. His love is merciful, holy, and deep. He loved us before we were even created in our mother’s wombs, before we could do anything for Him. There is nothing we can do to make Him love us more nor can we do anything to make Him love us less. God loves us because He is Love. (1 John 4:8). 

While we can witness the power of God’s love for His people throughout the Scriptures, the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus in the Gospels paints a beautiful and compelling picture of God’s love like none other. 

So, let us spend this Lenten season on a journey with Jesus to meditate on and enjoy the depth of God’s love. Let us use this time to live simply, clear the clutter, silence the noise, and recognize that the urgent is not always the most important. The most important thing is our relationship with Christ. 

We know that Lent is a season in which to draw near to our Lord. We gain new perspective as we re-order our lives in the light of Christ’s love. Lent is a time to work on personal spiritual growth, but it’s also a time to ensure that your spiritual growth is bearing fruit. “What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but has not works? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead” (James 2:14–17). 

Therefore, I encourage you to reflect on the places where God’s love has followed you and the ways you might be His instrument of hope for others. May this sacred season inspire us to journey together in faith, to serve one another with boundless compassion, and to embrace our shared calling to create a world that reflects God’s vision, a more just and merciful world for all. 

Lent is a humble descent both inwards and towards others. It is about realizing that salvation is not an ascent to glory, but a descent in love. -Pope Francis, Ash Wednesday Homily, 2021 

This journey as “a very acceptable time” 

Lent is “a very acceptable time” since God wants to create a pure heart in us and to renew within us a steadfast spirit, to allow ourselves to be reconciled with God in Christ Jesus. 

As we prepare to seek the Lord in prayer by reading Sacred Scripture; we also serve by giving alms; and we practice self-control through fasting. We are called not only to abstain from luxuries during Lent, but to a true inner conversion of heart as we seek to follow Christ's will more faithfully. 

Many know of the tradition of abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent, but we are also called to practice self-discipline and fast in other ways throughout the season. Fasting is not genuine without reforming our way of life. If we fast and do nothing for those in need, we deceive ourselves. We need to find a balance. In addition, the giving of alms is one way to share God's gifts—not only through the distribution of money, but through the sharing of our time and talents. As St. John Chrysostom reminds us: "Not to enable the poor to share in our goods is to steal from them and deprive them of life. The goods we possess are not ours, but theirs." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2446). 

As Lent begins, Jesus tells us not to be like the hypocrites who donate, pray, and fast only to win the praise of others. Instead, he says, do these beautiful acts to grow closer to God. 

Lent is Jesus powerful call to self-sacrifice and faith. By saying, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily,” Jesus reminds us that following Him is not just about belief but about action—a daily, intentional choice to put aside our desires to follow His example. 

We can renew our efforts to give bread to the hungry and satisfy the needs of those affected. For if we do this, “light will rise for us in our darkness.” But we need to take time away from all this to listen to the Lord who will guide us. He will renew our strength.

Prayer is the avenue not only by which we approach God but also by which he comes to meet us. He desires to be close to us, know us, and share with us the riches of his heart. The 3 Lenten pillars of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are spiritual avenues that allow us to make a greater gift of ourselves to God this Lent. Through them, we can grow in imitating Christ and become better witnesses of his love. Ultimately, the sacrifice and self-denial of the Lenten season will prepare us to enter more fully into the joy of Easter. 

How do you plan to practice prayer, fasting, and almsgiving this Lent? 

"Now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Cor 6:2)  

Daily Reflection

Phase 1 - Preparation 

Live Simply

Day 1 – Ash Wednesday
“Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” (Gen 3:19)
Lent begins with honesty. Today, pause and ask: What really matters?
👉 Action: Choose one small thing to let go of—an item, a habit, or a distraction.

Day 2

Simplicity is not lack—it is freedom.

Jesus fasted to make space for God (Mt 4:2).

👉 Action: Skip one unnecessary purchase today and notice how it feels. 

Day 3
Faith isn’t only believed—it’s lived.
“Faith without works is dead.” (James 2:17)
👉 Action: Do one quiet good deed today. No posting. No telling.

Day 4
How full is your life—and with what?
“No one can serve two masters.” (Mt 6:24)
👉 Action: Review your schedule. What competes with God for your time?

Day 5
Decluttering isn’t trendy—it’s spiritual.
Less noise. More listening.
👉 Action: Clear one physical space and pray while doing it.

Day 6
Fasting reveals what controls us.
What you miss most may be what owns you.
👉 Action: Fast from something small today and observe your reaction.

Day 7 – 1st Sunday of Lent
Jesus enters the wilderness to prepare for mission.
So do we.
👉 Reflection: Where is God inviting you to simplify?

Day 8
Stewardship means everything is a gift.
“Use your gifts to serve others.” (1 Pet 4:10)
👉 Action: Name one gift you’ve been keeping to yourself.

Day 9
Consumption is easy. Gratitude takes effort.
👉 Action: Before buying anything today, pause and say: Thank You, Lord.

Day 10
Busyness can be a form of avoidance.
👉 Action: Sit in silence for 5 minutes today. No phone. Just presence.

Day 11
“Is this not the fast I choose?” (Is 58:6)
God wants hearts changed, not just meals skipped.
👉 Action: Be kinder than necessary today.

Day 12
You don’t need more to be happy.
You need less clutter and more meaning.
👉 Action: Give away one item you like, not just one you don’t need.

Day 13
Lent is training for love.
👉 Action: Do something inconvenient for someone today.

Day 14
What we cling to can block grace.
👉 Action: Name one fear you’re holding. Offer it to God.

Day 15 – 2nd Sunday of Lent
Transformation begins when we listen.
“This is my Son… listen to Him.” (Mk 9:7)
👉 Reflection: Where is God speaking softly in your life?

Day 16
Simplicity creates space for compassion.
👉 Action: Notice someone usually invisible. Acknowledge them.

Day 17
God doesn’t ask perfection—only availability.
👉 Action: Say yes to one small act of service today.

Day 18
Preparation leads to action.
Tomorrow, faith moves outward.
👉 Prayer: Lord, make my heart ready.

Phase 2

Lent is a time for penance, reflection and renewal. It’s a time for introspection and consideration of lasting things. What we are proposing this Lent is a process of simplifying and reducing excess to focus on what truly matters, leading to a more intentional and fulfilling life, getting rid of the “heavy draperies” so that lasting things can shine into our daily thoughts and lives. This involves decluttering physical belongings, letting go of unnecessary commitments and mental clutter, and consciously deciding what adds value versus what weighs you down. By stripping away the extraneous, you can create space for greater focus, joy, and purpose of life. 

● Make the love of God and love of neighbour the central focus of your life. 

● Shift from a mindset of acquisition to one of purposeful consumption. 

● Give serious thought to the way I use the earth’s resources, especially water, electricity, consumption of food and fossil fuels? Do I waste more than I should? 

● Finding joy in owning little and focusing on fewer, more meaningful activities can lead to a greater sense of sharing and freedom. 

Simplicity, minimalism and living simply have been on trend for some time now. Sharing resources and experiences can build deeper connections with family, friends, and neighbours. To live simply, we put ourselves outside of others’ ability to buy us off, reward us falsely, or control us by money, status, salary, punishment, and loss or gain of anything. 

Communities that share resources are more resilient in the face of unexpected challenges. A strong social network provides support when times get tough. When we agree to live simply, we no longer consider immigrants, refugees, people in poverty, or anyone else on the margins of society as a threat. When we choose to relinquish our privileges, whatever they are, we have freely and consciously chosen to become “pilgrims” in this world. By embracing a mindset of sharing, we can reduce overall consumption and live more sustainably. Intentional giving, whether of items, time, or resources, can be more impactful when aligned with your values. Giving freely is the natural and essential counterpart to living simply. It is the active expression of a heart freed from the self-centeredness of consumer culture. The bottom line is that we only need "enough" to live a happy life, and that really, simplifying our lives is what makes room for the love that satisfies our deepest needs. Thus, a simple lifestyle is quite simply an act of solidarity with the way most people have had to live since the beginnings of humanity. When we are choosing to live simply and not always striving for the newer and better things of this life, then our hearts will then be free to choose that which really matters. We will be free to love God and love those God puts in our lives more fully and freely. Pope Francis, in his beautiful encyclical, Laudato Si’ writes, “The emptier a person’s heart is, the more he or she needs to buy, own and consume.” 

On the other hand, some people fall into the trap of thinking, “I don’t need to get involved because someone else will do it,” but this kind of thinking takes away our opportunity to grow in relationships with others. Love and charity stabilize our relationship with God and manifest God’s love on earth in ways that bring the hope of Christ to the hopeless. By living simply, by recognizing and giving to the poor, then we will help to foster the attitude of stewardship that all that we have is a gift from God and is not a gift just for my own benefit but for the good of others, that God blesses us so that we can bless others. 

Furthermore, when we decide to live simply, we have time for spiritual and corporal works of mercy, like prayer, service, and justice work, because we have renegotiated in our minds and hearts our understanding of time and its purposes. Drawing from the Gospel, the concept of unconditional giving is one of the main teachings that Jesus delivered during his ministry which spoke of the miracle of selfless generosity. We know that Christ wants our love, but He also wants our service and our faithfulness. He wants us to work every day to better ourselves. And He wants us to love our fellow human beings. What one way can you reach out to others this Lent? Even the simplest acts of love and charity will strengthen our relationships, reflect Christ’s love, and bring him glory. If you are involved in acts of charity and works of mercy, try to recognize the face of Christ in those whom you serve, and love him in them as you would love him in person. Charity covers a multitude of sins, and it is still the most effective way to start to understand the Lord who is love. By helping those in need, we are acting in faith and giving freely of our love, as the Lord does with us. 

Lent isn’t about senseless sacrifices; it’s about meaningful ones. It’s not a season for offering endless prayers, it’s a time for offering honest ones. It’s a season to come back to the Lord who calls us to return to him, and to avail ourselves of that great bounty which God has spread before us. Whether it be through fasting, prayer, almsgiving, penance, self-denial or whatever – give up what you will, but try to see the Lord in the sacrifices you make. Being charitable to others helps us look beyond ourselves, whether we give of our financial resources, our time or our talents. And this giving freely has lasting results. 

Lastly, make this Lent a time when you learn to recognize Jesus Christ and the thanksgiving that we owe him for everything that we tend to think of as our own. Let us journey together this Lent to strengthen our faith in God and become more compassionate and loving to our brothers and sisters. And let us see others as Christ sees them. 

Daily Reflection

PHASE 2 — DOING → BEING 

Love Deeply & Give Freely

Day 19 – 4th Sunday of Lent
“Whatever you did for the least… you did for Me.” (Mt 25:40)
👉 Action: Serve someone with no expectation of return.

Day 20
Love becomes real when it costs something.
👉 Action: Give time, not just money, today.

Day 21
The hungry are closer than we think.
👉 Action: Share a meal or groceries with someone in need.

Day 22
Listening is an act of love.
👉 Action: Listen without interrupting. Without fixing.

Day 23
Generosity multiplies joy.
“God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Cor 9:7)
👉 Action: Give quietly and gratefully.

Day 24
Your talent is someone else’s answered prayer.
👉 Action: Use one skill to help someone for free.

Day 25
Service changes the giver first.
👉 Reflection: What is this experience stirring in you?

Day 26
Jesus meets us in the broken.
👉 Action: Reach out to someone lonely today.

Day 27
Faith matures through practice.
👉 Action: Repeat one act of service you avoided before.

Day 28
Sacrifice makes love visible.
👉 Action: Give something that will be missed.

Day 29 – 5th Sunday of Lent
“Unless a grain of wheat dies…” (Jn 12:24)
👉 Reflection: What is God inviting you to surrender?

Day 30
Small acts done with love matter eternally.
👉 Action: Do one hidden act of kindness today.

Day 31
When we serve, Christ forms us.
👉 Reflection: Who are you becoming through these acts?

Day 32
Gratitude fuels perseverance.
👉 Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for letting me serve.

Phase 3

It can be challenging to slow down during Lent. The demands on our time never seem to end, especially when it appears everything around us is moving at a rapid pace. And often, our to-do lists and responsibilities take priority, which leaves little room to slow down and experience the joy of service and gratitude. Loving and caring for the people around you shows your gratitude as you honour Christ by giving the glory to Him. God calls us to love one another as He has loved. Showing gratitude by serving and loving the people around us especially at Lent, glorifies God. 

As we come to the end of the season of Lent and as we have engaged in acts of self-denial, spiritual discipline and acts of mercy around us, may we be reminded of God’s great sacrifice for us and the immense love God has for each and every one of us. In our own lives, we often do all we can to avoid even the slightest amount of sacrifice. But sacrifice is capable of the greatest good when united to the one Sacrifice of Jesus. For many, suffering is a daily experience and yet no matter how willing you are to embrace sacrifice in your own life, your sacrifices are not able to save the world by their own merit. If you face your crosses in life, be they big or small, and if you intentionally and wholeheartedly unite them to the actions of Jesus that first Holy Week, then you can be certain that you will be in solidarity with the sufferings of Jesus. 

Giving during Lent often means sacrificing something beyond one's surplus, such as donating the money saved from giving up some attachments or addictions. This practice reinforces the understanding that all possessions are gifts from God, and individuals are called to be stewards of these gifts for the common good, not just for a privileged few. Moreover, we experience deep inner peace and self-fulfilment when giving ourselves to others without expecting anything in return. 

The clarity that sacrifice and suffering brings to the believer, comes down to the realization that we are not here in this place permanently, that we are on pilgrimage, that, as the psalmist says, “15As for mortals, their days are like grass; they flourish like a flower of the field; 16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.” (Psalm 103:15-16) 

When the focus of Lent becomes simply “giving something up,” we fall into the poor assumption that we are entirely in control of our lives and the things in it. In 1 Peter, a letter in the New Testament, the apostle Peter argues that humans should be “faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” If God’s grace is manifested for us in various blessings and we are stewards of those blessings, then how should we respond to these blessings? Thus, the more generous our sacrifice, the more we can identify our authentic relationship with God. When Jesus died for us on the cross, He established the fact that sacrifice is the ultimate act of love. 

Generosity is a key means of bearing witness to Christ's love and is a powerful spiritual discipline that fosters a heart that thirsts for God. However, we don’t become holy by giving up. We don’t become holy by doing something for the Lord but what makes us holy is Gratitude. Gratitude that comes from encountering Christ’s love and mercy is enough to make people holy. 

So, Lent is not just about sacrifice; it is ultimately about renewal and hope. The journey through Lent prepares Christians to fully experience the joy of Easter, celebrating the triumph of Jesus over sin and death. It reminds Christians of God’s boundless love and the promise of eternal life. It is this gift of faith, at the heart of our Lenten journeys, that we are invited to reflect not only on the historical event of the Lord’s crucifixion, but the redemptive meaning of Jesus’ suffering love, poured out for all humanity and for each of us. 

Lent is an apt season to cultivate an attitude or lifestyle of gratitude. The Lenten season serves as a powerful reminder that no matter how much I endure in this life, Jesus’ sacrifice was much greater. It is humbling to recognize that my challenges do not qualify me for a monopoly on suffering. I am comforted and grateful for the fact that Jesus suffered more and yet overcame. He himself suffered, not for the betterment of himself but for me and for you and for all (John 3:16). He suffered in order to bear our burdens on the journey (Matt. 1:23). 

God’s love carries us through, and death loses its sting in the face of Jesus’ resurrection promise. Therefore, the cross of Jesus, first and foremost, speaks about the victory of obedience to God’s will. It also shows the salvific power of forgiveness. The cross and the resurrection of Jesus is a celebration of the victory of love as a choice. In the cross, Jesus shows that his words are not empty. In the cross, he shows that love is not a mere feeling of satisfaction or enjoyment, In the cross, Jesus proves that love has to be freely chosen. And once it has been chosen, it will bear fruit in the salvation of others. Thus, in front of the cross of making difficult and life-changing decisions, we are invited to go let go of our hesitations and fears and let God take charge. In front of the cross of life’s mistakes, the triumph of the cross invites us to find victory in the power of forgiving and allowing ourselves another shot at life and experience redemption. In front of the cross of dealing with difficult people, we are invited to choose love. The cross of our daily life’s burdens and with faith in Jesus, they become moments of redemption; they become opportunities for growth; they become moments of true discipleship. 

In summary, the key takeaways of this Lenten journey that we are asked to imitate: 

● Jesus' path to the cross shows God's deep love for humanity – LOVE DEEPLY 

● His sacrifice represents the greatest act of love and redemption – LIVE SIMPLY 

● Share this love and forgiveness with others – GIVE FREELY 

By the time Easter arrives, those who have faithfully observed Lent will find themselves spiritually strengthened, renewed, and ready to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus with greater joy and gratitude. 

St. Paul’s letter to the Colossians (3:15-17) reminds us, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 

Daily Reflection

PHASE 3 — HOLY WEEK

Reflection & Transformation

Day 33 – Palm Sunday
Crowds cheer. Soon they will scatter.
👉 Reflection: Where am I tempted to follow Jesus only when it’s easy?

Day 34
Love walks the road to the Cross.
👉 Action: Stay faithful in something difficult today.

Day 35
Jesus washes feet before giving His life.
👉 Action: Serve someone humbly.

Day 36 – Holy Thursday
“This is My Body, given for you.”
👉 Reflection: How is your life becoming a gift?

Day 37 – Good Friday Eve
Love holds nothing back.
👉 Prayer: Teach me to love like You.

Day 38
At the Cross, suffering finds meaning.
👉 Reflection: What pain do I need to place in God’s hands?

Day 39
Gratitude flows from the Cross.
“While we were sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom 5:8)
👉 Action: Forgive someone today.

Day 40 – Good Friday
“It is finished.” (Jn 19:30)
Love has spoken.
👉 Prayer: Lord, receive my life—simply lived, deeply loved, freely given.