What It Means to Be "Entering Lent"

In his reflection before praying the Angelus today, the Holy Father said that entering Lent means "starting a time of particular commitment to spiritual combat  against evil in the world, in each of us and around us" in which we must "recognize our own responsibilities and consciously take appropriate charge."

He spoke of this year's 150th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady at Lourdes, and of tomorrow's celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes as well as the World Day of Prayer for the Sick.

He also mentioned that he will begin his annual Lenten spiritual exercises this evening, and thanked those who will remember him in prayer.

An article is available from Asia News.  Full translations are available at Zenit and Papa Ratzinger Forum.