Pope Francis' special Ash Wednesday message for 'Keep Lent' initiative

Pope Francis sent out his first audio message for "Keep Lent" over social media. 'Keep Lent' is an initiative of the Prelature of the Pontifical Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii's youth ministry office. According to the Vatican Radio, "The initiative begins on Ash Wednesday, and is based on social media: it will provide a daily Gospel reading and commentary from leading clergymen and lay catechists." They have reported thousands of subscribers from all around the world.

Find below the full text of Pope Francis' message for "Keep Lent" in English.

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Dear boys,

Jesus told his disciples, "Be careful not to practice your righteousness before men to be seen by them" ... "When you give alms do not sound a trumpet before you" ... "Your Father who sees He will reward you "in secret.

God's word gives us the proper orientation for living Lent well.

When we do something well, sometimes we are tempted to be appreciated and to have a reward: the human glory. But it is a false reward because we projected towards what others think of us.

Jesus asks us to do good because it is good. He asks us to feel always under the gaze of our heavenly Father and to live in union with Him, not in relation to the judgment of others.

Live in the presence of the Father is a much deeper joy of worldly glory.

Our attitude in this Lent is thus to live in secret where the Father sees us, loves us, waiting for us. Of course, external things are important, but we must always choose and live in God's presence.

Let prayer, mortification, and in fraternal charity we can humbly before God. So we will be worthy of the reward of God the Father.

Happy Lent, Our Lady of Pompeii and accompany you, please pray for me.

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