Lent Demands Sacrifice, Charity, Spiritual Renewal, Ndagoso Tells Christians

The Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, has challenged Christians to treat the Lenten season as a period of sacrifice, charity and deep spiritual renewal.

In his 2026 Lenten message, the archbishop described Lent as a sacred journey that draws believers closer to God and urged the faithful to commit to prayers, fasting and almsgiving as essential pillars of the season.

He added that Lent offers a unique opportunity for reflection, reconciliation and a renewed encounter with God, stressing that it is a time for Christians to return to God with their whole heart and reorder their lives according to His grace.

“At the heart of the Christian faith is Jesus Christ, his passion, death and resurrection. Lent focuses our minds on these central events and invites us to draw closer to God as if encountering Him for the first time,” he said.

Archbishop Ndagoso explained that the Lenten journey is not merely about observing religious rituals but about genuine inner transformation, noting that true fasting goes beyond abstaining from food to include turning away from sin and embracing a more disciplined and modest life.

He appealed to well-meaning Nigerians to extend support to the vulnerable and less privileged during the Lenten season, noting that the period calls for compassion beyond religious boundaries.

According to him, almsgiving remains a vital expression of love and solidarity, especially with the poor and vulnerable in society.

Ndagoso added that acts of charity must be driven by sincere love rather than the size of the gift, noting that even the smallest offering can make a meaningful difference when given with a pure heart.

“Those blessed by God are stewards of such blessings. To have is to owe, and to whom much is given, much is expected”.

The archbishop announced that the 2026 Archdiocesan Lenten Campaign would be flagged off on March 8 at St. Paul’s Parish, Karji, Kaduna, while activities would continue in parishes, pastoral areas and chaplaincies from March 15.