Pope Invites People To "Pray For Peace" On the First Day Lent

Wednesday, 2 March 2022 15:14

By Caoimhe Harney

Today is the first day of lent in the Catholic faith.

The Archbishop of Dublin's urging people to dedicate a special prayer for peace in Ukraine this Ash Wednesday.

The traditional holy day marks the beginning of lent, and is celebrated through prayer and fasting.

This year, members of the Catholic faith are able to attend mass and accept ashes, after Covid forced people to stay at home or go online last year.

We're being urged to take time out this Lent to think about the important things in life.

Ash-Wednesday is the day in the Christian calendar when people generally commit to giving up luxuries like chocolate, sweets or alcohol.

But instead this year Pope Francis is inviting people, regardless of their religious views, to pray for peace.

Archbishop, Dermot Farrell, says people's thoughts today should extend to those who're suffering in Ukraine:

Fr. Paddy Byrne, who is Parish Priest in 6 parishes in Co. Laois, says we should be asking ourselves today what's really important in our lives.

Fr. Byrne spoke with Ciara Noble on Wednesday's Kildare Focus:

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