Following is the text of message marking the Lenten Season by Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia Bishop Paolo Martinelli, dated February 14, 2024:

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Today begins the season of Lent, a time that prepares us for Easter, the celebration of the resurrection, the foundation of our faith. 

Lent is a journey of Hope because God wants our salvation and offers us his abundant forgiveness and mercy.

Pope Francis has written a beautiful message for this lent namely: Through the Desert, God leads us to Freedom. I invite you to meditate on it.

The image of the desert is familiar to us. We see it all around us. In the Bible, the Lord speaks to our hearts in the desert. 

We are called to move from the slavery of sin to the Freedom of being children of God: to conversion, a profound change of life.
Let us live this Lent by dedicating more time to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

Prayer, especially the Eucharistic celebration, grows our relationship with God. I invite you to turn to the Lord throughout the day with short prayers.

Fasting (not only from food but from many useless things that make us victims of consumerism) helps us to be free from vices and idols.

Almsgiving pushes us to charity and love towards others. Let us find opportunities to help someone in difficulty. God loves those who give joyfully.

Let us move from the slavery of selfishness to the Freedom to love God and others. Though from many parts of the world, we walk together, as One people of God. 

Let us nourish our desire for a new life and collaborate joyfully to build a more just and fraternal world.

May the Lenten journey bring you fruits of joy and authentic Freedom.