Each year, for the fifth Sunday of Lent, Archbishop Christian Lépine encourages all parishes, missions and faithful of the diocese to participate in the Development and Peace – Caritas Canada Share Lent campaign.

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

This year during Lent, Development and Peace – Caritas Canada is inviting us to step up and embrace a culture of encounter by stepping forward in solidarity with those who are threatened or forced to leave their homes. It is what Pope Francis has invited us to do when he urges us to join the international solidarity campaign under the theme “Share the Journey”, because no family should be forced to flee their home.

We are all invited to pray for the thousands of people who are forced to flee their homes because of war, persecution, poverty or hunger. Development and Peace – and their partners – encourages us to respond to the invitation with the sense of solidarity and good works required by the Gospel and of which Pope Francis reminds us. Our donations to the “Share Lent” campaign will serve to support the development and humanitarian-aid programs that are already present in many countries, as well as to tackle the deeper causes of these forced migrations, so as to help prevent them.

It may sometimes be difficult to grasp the magnitude of the impact that forced migration has on the lives of those who must face this trauma. We are called to go forth to meet them where they currently live, to concern ourselves with what they are going through, and to support local partners with the work of Development and Peace.

To participate more fully, you can order the necessary materials for this campaign through Development and Peace at: www.devp.org or by telephone at 514-257-8710, ext. 314.

Let us make this 5th Sunday of Lent a Sunday of solidarity with families who are, for various reasons, forced to flee their homes. Let us learn to support them where they are, setting out to meet them through our faith in divine Love, our compassion, our prayers and our financial contribution.

With Jesus Christ who shares our journey,

+Christian Lépine
Archbishop of Montreal