KL Archdiocese’s Lenten Campaign Touching the Wounds of Christ

Mar 21, 2014

By Bernard Anthony
This year’s theme for the 2014 Lenten Campaign for the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur is Touching the Wounds of Christ.

The Lenten Campaign Kit includes a DVD Video and Booklet in four languages, consisting of messages, weekly reflections, activity guidelines for all age groups, and Lenten Campaign Resources & Activities Overview. It is also available via YouTube, Blog, Facebook, Twitter etc. The kit was distributed to all parishes in the archdiocese in February. Posters and banners
were also distributed to parishes to promote the campaign. Also distributed were magnets and stickers on anti-corruption.

The video programme which is about seven minutes long is intended to promote reflection and discussion on the significance of Lent and this year’s Lenten Campaign theme. It has been specially prepared for use for all groups: individuals, families, BECs, ministries and others. It is not just by giving money, to help the marginalized and those in need, but also how we can get involved in terms of social injustices.

Lent is based on the 40 days that Jesus spent fasting in the desert in preparation for his ministry. It starts on Ash Wednesday and is traditionally a time of penance with the three hallmarks of Lent: prayer, fasting and almsgiving,
for Christians in preparation for Easter.

The Holy Father’s Lenten Message 2014 (in four languages) is also available. Christians are called to confront this destitution which is not the same as poverty. Destitution is poverty without faith, support and hope. Three types of destitution are material,
moral and spiritual. Pope Francis said material destitution is what is normally called poverty where the Church offers her help to the poor. The Pope also emphasized moral destitution namely, vice and sin which cause much pain in families. It is also linked to Spiritual destitution that makes one to turn away from God and His love.

The Pontiff said the Gospel is the real antidote to Spiritual destitution. The Lord asks us Christians to be heralds of this message of mercy and hope in our society.

Meanwhile Fr Mitchel Anthony, the director of the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur Office for Human Development (AOHD) in his message said the need for Renewal and Rejuvenation in the direction of real conversion and transformation, requires actions and values of the Gospel in order to build the Kingdom of God. By our actions of praying, fasting and almsgiving, we come closer to God.

He said this year’s Lenten theme focused on maturing in compassionate humanity. It directs us to adopt a compassionate
approach in tackling and resolving our personal weaknesses and negative behaviour and the issues of social problems we face in our communities. Fr Mitchel advised us to touch the wounds of Christ and mature in compassionate humanity by enriching the quality of life in our family and community especially the vulnerable, marginalized and the voiceless.

The annual Lenten campaign appeal is aimed at raising awareness as well as funds to combat poverty in helping the poor and marginalized in society, especially the urban and rural poor, migrants and refugees and in carrying out other projects in the area of integral human development, justice and peace.

The Lenten Offering envelopes have been distributed to all parishes. The Catholic Welfare Services is tasked to undertake the Offering for the AOHD. Last year RM1.430 Million (RM1.076 million in 2012) was collected through the Lenten Offering. The bulk of it was used for the Integral Human Development (PIHD), Migrants & refugees, Urban & Rural poor, Women’s Desk, Carl’s Kitchen (lunch for the homeless street people), Children’s Aid, Welcome Home Community and Special Needs Learning Centre.