I am attaching to this letter the message of His Holiness Pope Francis for Lent. I hope it will inspire both you and your parishioners in your spiritual preparation for the upcoming Lenten season.

I ask for you prayerful consideration and response.

Lent is a time for reflection and repentance, a time to pray with renewed fervor for ourselves, our families, and the Church. During this holy season let’s also pray for the transformation of the world we live in. Through the grace of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, may we all be agents of the Father’s mercy!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Robert J. Carlson
Archbishop of St. Louis