Lent and the Call to Caritas
Lent and the Call to Caritas: Love That Lasts Beyond a Season
Lent is a season of reflection, sacrifice, and generosity. For many Christians, it is a time to practice the three traditional pillars of the season: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Almsgiving often focuses on what we give (money, goods, or resources) to help those in need. It is a beautiful and necessary expression of our faith.
But Lent also invites us to go deeper, to consider not only what we give, but how and why we give. This deeper call is the heart of caritas.
But Lent also invites us to go deeper, to consider not only what we give, but how and why we give. This deeper call is the heart of caritas.
Almsgiving is usually material. Caritas is always relational.
Almsgiving focuses on the gift itself, while caritas focuses on the love, dignity, and solidarity behind the gift. It is not just about meeting a need; it is about forming a relationship that reflects Christ’s love.
Almsgiving focuses on the gift itself, while caritas focuses on the love, dignity, and solidarity behind the gift. It is not just about meeting a need; it is about forming a relationship that reflects Christ’s love.
This is why CARITAS For Children does not simply “give funds.” The mission goes beyond transactions and into transformation.
Through sponsorship, relationships are formed between sponsors, children, and the religious communities who care for them. Letters are exchanged, prayers are offered, and lives are connected across continents. This is caritas in its fullest sense...love expressed through lasting relationships.
Through sponsorship, relationships are formed between sponsors, children, and the religious communities who care for them. Letters are exchanged, prayers are offered, and lives are connected across continents. This is caritas in its fullest sense...love expressed through lasting relationships.
Almsgiving is often seasonal. We think about it more during Lent, Advent, or times of crisis. Caritas, however, is a way of life. It is the daily Christian call to love God and neighbor, not just when the calendar reminds us, but in every season.
The work of CARITAS For Children embodies this truth. Sponsorship is not a one-time donation or a short-term project. It is a sustained commitment to a child’s flourishing—spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Sponsors walk alongside a child over time, offering not only financial support but also encouragement, prayer, and hope.
During Lent, we are invited to reflect on Christ’s sacrificial love and how we are called to mirror that love in the world. When we give through caritas, we are not just offering resources; we are offering ourselves. We are choosing to see the face of Christ in another person and respond with compassion, dignity, and solidarity.
This Lent, consider how your almsgiving can become caritas.
Instead of a one-time gesture, look for ways to build relationships, support ongoing missions, and walk with others in faith. In doing so, we live out the true spirit of Lent, not just for forty days, but for a lifetime of love.
Instead of a one-time gesture, look for ways to build relationships, support ongoing missions, and walk with others in faith. In doing so, we live out the true spirit of Lent, not just for forty days, but for a lifetime of love.