All around the world, Lenten Season is very special for Christian to engage in prayer, penance, and fasting to prepare for Easter.

In India, the Lenten campaign was launched by His Excellency “Giambattista Diquattro, The Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See to India at the Sacred Heart Cathedral at the National Capital on Sunday, February 23, 2020.

This year’s campaign ‘Sustain Life: Sustainable Livelihood’ invites everyone to join hands and come together to be a catalyst to adopt ‘Each one help one’ approach in reaching out to attain a sustainable livelihood.

Caritas India has planned a variety of activities throughout the nation to engage and promote the campaign. As per the plan, the launch will be conducted in more than 100 dioceses and to date, 40 dioceses have already launched the campaign with multiple engagement activities.

Malankara Syrian Catholic Church marked its campaign launch with the Eucharistic celebration by Bishop Thomas Mar Anthonios OIC on 23rd February at St Mary’s Malankara Church Sakinaka, Mumbai. Bishop stressed the Lenten season as a time to re-examine our lives, repent and reconcile with the Lord and our brethren. He urged the people to observe zealously the prescribed fasting and abstinence of the lent. He also emphasized on the Lenten Campaign which the Catholic Church in India through Caritas India organizes to mobilize funds to fight against hunger and diseases

Diocese of Baruipur, started its Lent this on 26th Feb 2020, and Diocese of Darjeeling on 1st March, first Sunday of Lent, with officially launching of Caritas India’s Lenten Campaign. Bishop Salvadore Lobo Bishop of Baruipur, Bishop Shyamal Bose, Coadjutor Bishop of Baruipur, were the main celebrants along with Fr Sushil Modi, Administrator Caritas India, and Fr Parimal Kanji, Director Palli Unnayan Samiti Baruipur celebrated the holy Eucharistic celebration at Cathedral of Immaculate Heart of Mary. Lenten Campaign Poster was released, and piggy box and Lenten collection envelops were distributed to parishioners in Baruipur and Darjeeling.

His Excellency Rt. Rev Dr. Joseph Karikkassery, Bishop of Kottapuram Latin Catholic diocese during the first Sunday of Lent pointed out the need for observing lent and contributing generously towards the cause of Caritas India stand for, during the mass besides recollecting the magnanimity shown by Caritas at the time of previous years’ floods. His Excellency said that the launching is made as part of observing fifty days of lent, which is the call of the season made by His Holiness Pope Francis and he exhorted the people to save the money on the days they observe fasting and contribute to Caritas India.

The diocese of Mavelikara also launched the Lenten campaign on February 27, 2020, at the Mavelikara Bhadrasana Bible Convention by His Excellency Rt. Rev Dr. Joshua Mar Ignathios, Bishop of Mavelikara Syro-Malankara Catholic diocese. His Excellency launched the Lenten campaign and urged people to save the resources on the days they observe fasting and contribute to Caritas India. The programme was participated by around 1000 people along with the clergy of the diocese including diocesan priests and nuns belonging to different congregations, regional directors.

The Lenten campaign in the Kohima Diocese was successfully launched on the 1st of March 2020 at St.Xavier Parish church, Jalukie, Peren District. Rev Fr. Charles, Director Development Association of Nagaland (DAN) was the main celebrant. The introduction and the homily dwelt on the theme of the year for Lenten Campaign “Sustained Life: Sustainable Livelihood”. About 500 people participated in the Holy Eucharistic celebration. Post mass, various activities like street play, Testimony, display of organic produces, etc. were initiated.

The diocesan launch of the Lenten campaign was also inaugurated in the diocese of Faridabad-Delhi, on March 1st, 2020 at Our Lady of Fathimamatha forane church Jassola. Diocesan Director of Social Service, Fr Santhosh George officiated the liturgy. His Grace Archbishop Kuriakose Bharanikulangara, together with the auxiliary bishop Mar Jose Puthenveettil, inaugurated the Lenten Campaign along with Rt. Justice Kurian Joseph, Staff from Caritas India, Priests and Nuns, and more than 100 lay representatives from the parishes of the diocese. The youth from St Thomas church Janakpuri staged a thought-provoking ‘Street Drama’ during this event.

Archbishop of Agra, Most Rev. (Dr.) Albert D’Souza along with . Fr Sushil Modi (Administrator – Caritas India), Fr. Shibu Kuriakose (Director, ACDSSS, Agra), Rev. Fr. Joseph Dabre (Parish Priest) to inaugurate the Caritas India Lenten Campaign 2020 in the Dioceses by celebrating a solemn mass. Various fundraising activities was done through Paid Breakfast/Food stall, My share your care (Donate a cup of Rice) and Signature Campaign.

In the coming day various other activities are planned like Special Liturgy/Homily, Essay writing, Drawing Competition, Exhibition, Film Show etc.