It probably takes a certain type of Catholic eccentricity to be able to proclaim that I am a Lent baby. In 1953, the year of my birth, Ash Wednesday fell on 18 Feb,5 days before I was born.. And this year as I celebrate my 73rd Lent my birthday once again falls within the season. I have also decided that I will celebrate this birthday in the spirit ofthe 2026 Jubilee of the passing of St Francis.
In a graced moment of history Lent and Ramadan begin together this year providing an opportunity to revist the story of the encounter between St Francis and Sultan Malek al-Kamil in 1210.
Poetry to Feast on in Lent
Ash Wednesday 2026
On this day we wear the mark of the ashen cross to remind ourselves that stardust is our origin and our destination. We have a responsibility for right living with each other and our Mother Earth.
We wear the ash of the scorched earth to remind ourselves that our carbon footprint is our responsibility in our life choices for the future of our common home.
We wear the cross of suffering and pain inflicted by injustice and exploitation. We wear this mark to remember the words and deeds of Jesus of Nazareth so that all may have life and have it to the full.
Repent is not a popular word and rarely makes it into the friendly game of Scrabble. Yet it is a life giving choice we make if we are to be agents of change and rewrite grace into history
Ash Wednesday calls us to repent of all that is not life giving at the personal and social in our choices. Repentance also demands a change of heart and practice if it is going to be effective.
This is the time to fast from inhumanity and cruelty. This is the time to put our prayer into action and our alms giving into justice making.
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