Monday March 02, 2020 — First week of Lent — Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 25, 31-46 —Behold, now is the acceptable time, behold, now is the day of salvation

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Dear Christians, we are at an ideal moment to convert, to pray more and to fast and practice charity. This is called Lent. This week teaches us: Lent is total self-denial for God. What have we really given up to God? Who is this God to whom we must surrender everything? The Word of God is clear: the destitute, the poor, the wretched, the insignificant in our eyes are all manifestations of the face of God. The priority of Jesus, at the beginning of his mission, was to get close to these poor, those who were left behind. He is the God who is close to the poor, who are none other than our neighbours, our brothers and sisters. He tried to be close to all people and showed them the way to follow, that is to say, love expressed through sharing, mutual visits, hospitality.

How have we responded to all these forms of poverty and the poor? The Lord whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.' It is what we did that would one day determine our place: to his left or to his right.

We will be judged by the way we have lavished love on those around us. Jesus accepted to live our misery, He endured everything from us, even death, to overcome our sins and to set us on the right path. This is the greatest proof of love. Therefore, for us who are following Jesus, it is in the midst of all people, especially among those who need our support, that we will be able to come even closer to Jesus.

Message from the Bishops at the end of the Pilgrimage

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, You who have come in such large numbers to take part in this national pilgrimage, as well as all of you who are following it from home through the media. We, the bishops of Madagascar, would like to express our deep gratitude to you for having responded to our invitation and for having brought this jubilee initiated by Pope Francis to life spiritually. With you, we take up Mary's song: ‘My soul exalts the Lord’ and we repeat with her: ‘What shall I repay the Lord for all the good he has done me?’....

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Love and Salvation

Christmas is a great joy, because it is the love of God that has come to us, proclaims Fr. Bizimana Innocent, Provincial Superior of the Salesians Don Bosco of Madagascar and Mauritius, presenting his Christmas greetings. Salvation is accomplished, so life is not in danger of disappearing. It is this love and this salvation that we wish to fill our life so that we have peace.

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Zatti, our brother

The short film "Zatti, our brother" (Argentina, 2020) focuses on one of the most difficult episodes of his life. We are in Viedma, in 1941: at the age of 60, Zatti is forced to leave the hospital he has attended for decades. His faith and strength are tested.

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