LENT: Time to renew baptismal commitment

February 23, 2006

Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Lord,

The Holy Season of Lent begins this year on Ash Wednesday, March 1. It is my sincere hope and prayer that this special season of prayer, fasting and giving to the poor may lead us all to the joyful celebration of the Lord's Resurrection from the dead on Easter Sunday, April 16. It is important to remember that what we do during these holy 40 days should really help to change our lives beyond Easter. We are constantly called to grow in holiness and the Season of Lent helps us along that path. One day we will all be face to face with our all holy God, may we be ready.

This is the first Lenten Season that I share with you as Bishop. I am looking forward to sharing this time of prayer and penance with you. Thank you again for the wonderful welcome you have given me. I feel very much at home among all the wonderful people of this diocese. Thank you as well for your outpouring of sympathy to my family and me after the death of my mother. Your prayers and support continue to sustain us daily. Your prayers and Masses for the soul of my mother are greatly appreciated.

For all Christians, but especially for us as Catholics, Lent has always been a special season. There is something deep inside each of us that instinctively recognizes the need for change, growth, repentance and renewal. Lent provides us with the time we need to be renewed in mind, heart and body. It truly is another springtime of growth in holiness.

"The annual observance of Lent is the special season for the ascent to the holy mountain of Easter. Through its twofold theme of repentance and Baptism, the season of Lent disposes both the catechumens and the faithful to celebrate the Paschal Mystery" (Ceremonial of Bishops, 249)

The Church asks all of us during Lent to be renewed in our baptismal commitment. We are baptized into the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We have promised to follow Him and imitate Him in living out the joys and sorrows of daily life. In Lent, we commit ourselves to doing this along with the Catechumens (those preparing to become baptized in the Catholic faith) and the candidates (those preparing to join the Roman Catholic Church). I hope that each parish in the diocese gives special care to those preparing to join us in faith. May each of us hold them in prayer and give them the good example of our lives of faithfulness.

Through prayer, fasting, and giving to the poor we are given a chance to be renewed in our own baptism. Daily Mass, Stations of the Cross, giving up normal pleasures and especially celebrating the Sacrament of Confession are wonderful ways that help us in the call to repentance. All these are done to help us not only prepare for the great feast of Easter, but to make us holy people, grounded and formed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Let us use this time well and not waste the gift of these 40 days. My prayers are with each of you. I continue to count on your prayers for me as we together enter into this most holy season. May Mary, the Mother of the Church, be our constant guide. In her humility and obedience Mary was able to experience the love of her Son, Jesus, more and more. May we do the same.

Your brother in Christ,

Most Reverend R. Walker Nickless
Bishop of Sioux City