The National Level Lenten Campaign 2021 was launched on February 21, 2021, by Msg. Rev. Fr. Susai Sebastian, Vicar General of Archdiocese of Delhi at the St. Alphonsa’s Church, Vasant Kunj.

This year the theme of the campaign is Healthy Life, Healthy India which reflects the unprecedented health crisis currently being faced by not only India but the world at large in wake of the pandemic. It encourages all to stand in solidarity with the poor and the most marginalized amidst and respond in our own small ways for a healthier India and symbols of recovery and hope.

Msg. Susai Sebastian in his introductory words emphasised that Lenten Season is a time to experience God’s unconditional love in a joyful way and should deeply inspire us to live the Word of God by becoming partners with God and reach out to the needy not only through material means but also in sharing our time, talent and skill to those in need. He encouraged the people to be sensitive to the needs of others, show solidarity, spread awareness on the need for sharing and giving what we have to those who need and do not have it. It is also a time for deeper reflection and repent for shortcoming and sins and strives toward living like Christ.

Caritas India took part in the Liturgical Service and interacted with the parishioners in spreading the message of this year’s Campaign, “Healthy Life, Healthy India”. Lenten Campaign 2021 is a call to take up the mission of living healthy. Through this campaign, the Catholic Church in India reminds all of us to stop ignoring the concerns of our body and mind which we face on a regular day. The campaign focuses on making mental and physical health a point of discussion and takes steps towards a healthy life which will help in creating a Healthy India.

The campaign strives to create awareness of the difficulties that the people go through during the pandemic and offers ways to respond to their difficulties by sharing our wealth and empathize with those in dire need as one community upholding the values of God’s Kingdom – that of justice, equality and freedom for all.

Expressing gratitude to the laity for being participants in the launch ceremony, Fr Jolly Assistant Executive Director, Caritas India reminded those present that the Church mandates us as People of God to stand in unison with the poor and marginalized and sought for extending their support to Caritas India Programs through various platforms like donations and voluntary work.

Present at the launch were parishioners led by Parish Priest, Fr. Frederick D’Souza and Assistant Parish Priest, Fr. Amal Raj along with Fr. Jolly Puthenpura, Assistant Executive Director and Fr. Sushil Modi, Administrator, Caritas India. Fr. Freddie and Fr. Amal were felicitated as a token of our appreciation and gratitude for their tireless pastoral work and for hosting the Lenten Campaign Launch event.

Apart from the National launch, Caritas India has encouraged its Diocesan Partners to conduct state-level launches in parishes and communities to spread the message of lent and create social awareness towards the theme “Healthy Life, Healthy, India”.

Kerala Social Service Society Forum in association with SWE, Ernakulam took the lead in organsing a campaign launch on 14^th February 2021 at St. Mary’s Forane Church, Thrippunithura, Ernakulam in a public meeting after the Holy Mass.

Bishop Sebastian Vaniyapurackal, Curia Bishop of Syro-Malabar Church released the Campaign poster at the lauch. “Even the little contributions with love and compassion towards the people in need may become a blessing during our struggling time,” said Bishop Sebastian Vaniyapurackal in his inaugural address.

Fr. Thomas Perumayan, Forane Vicar presiding over the programme said, “It is our strong responsibility to develop an eco-friendly lifestyle which ensures and promote the goodness and prosperity of fellow creatures in addition to the prayerful life we especially adopt during this Lenten season”. 5 activities are inaugurated as part of State-level launch of Lenten Campaign which is in line with Laudato Si call of Pope Francis. The first activity is the Charity collection for Hunger and Disease. The 1^st collection towards the Lenten Campaign is mobilized during the Holy Mass time, the collection continues during the season in all the catholic dioceses in Kerala. Sahrudaya Fest is the second activity which is a Health, Environment and Agri fest. It was inaugurated by Rev. Fr. Jacob Mavunkal, Ex. Director, Kerala Social Service Society Forum. The third activity is the Distribution of seeds/seedlings for the promotion of integrated organic Family farming, which was inaugurated by Rev. Fr. Martin Azhikakathu, Ex. Director, ESSS, Verapoly. 4^th Activity is a free ayurvedic medical camp on the day which was benefited hundreds of people. The 5^th and most important activity is Carbon Fasting. Through Arch Diocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly, the Syro-Malabar Church has given a call to the faithful of the Archdiocese to engage in what the Arch-diocesan hierarchy called ‘Carbon Fasting’ over the 41 days of Lent during which Catholics traditionally engage in acts of reparation and penance ahead of the holy week observation and Easter celebration.

The members of the Arch Diocese have been given a call to set of ‘Ten Commandments’ ranging from planting more trees to refraining from using or considerably reducing plastic products. Reduce wastage of food, use electricity and water sparingly and don’t burn plastic products are some of the items on the agenda as the Catholic archdiocese provides a new take on the traditional Lenten season of prayer and mortifications of the self. Bishop Sebastian Vaniyapurackal said, “everyone must work to ensure that the earth was a place for comfortable living for future generations”.

Kerala campaign launch was concluded with a vote of thanks by Fr. Jose, Koluthuvally, Ex. Director, WSE, Ernakulam. Fr. Jino Bharanikulangara Asst. Ex. Director, WSE, Ernakulam, Fr. Jasab Inchakattumannil Asst. Forane Vicar, St. Mary’s Forane Vicar delivered their felicitations during the programme.