Lent, a significant period for Catholics, lasts for 40 days of preparation leading up to Easter, focusing on spiritual intensity marked by prayer, penance, and charity. This year, Pope Leo XIV has encouraged believers not only to fast from food but also to avoid negative speech, promoting an environment where words are used constructively rather than destructively. This is seen as a profound way to embody conversion in everyday life.

Father Eduardo Augusto Belão emphasizes that Lent isn't merely about giving up material consumption; instead, it represents an opportunity for personal transformation through love and charity. When fasting shifts towards charitable acts, its meaning deepens, as the focus then resides on nurturing relationships and aiding those in need. The article illustrates how the community can unite through positive actions, even extending beyond traditional practices.

In the context of local engagement, at the Cristo Redentor Parish in Várzea Paulista, initiatives are being fostered to reinforce this message, showcasing how Lent can be a period of solidarity and goodwill. Through these efforts, believers are encouraged to create a 'chain of goodwill,' which is essential for nurturing a spirit of community and compassion, reflective of the core values of the Christian faith.