Bishop Parkes Invites Catholics to the Holy Door of the Confessional This Lent

Posted inCommunications, News Releases

March 5th is Ash Wednesday, the first day of the season of Lent, a six-week period of penance and spiritual preparation for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection at Easter. Bishop Gregory Parkes shares a Lenten message and invitation to all Catholics. The bishop’s message can be shared as a video or text via the links below:

Text of the Bishop’s Message is below:

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This Lent, I invite you to seek and receive God’s forgiveness. The ashes we receive on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday remind us that we are all sinners and yet we all have hope. Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Reconciliation so that nothing would keep us from God’s love. No sin is greater than God’s love and mercy.

During this Jubilee Year, the Holy Door is the door of the confessional. This is where you will encounter God’s love and mercy in a profound way.

Jesus is calling out to you as a beloved son and daughter, and He is waiting to meet you in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  This is where you find healing and restoration – and where you can focus on what is truly life-giving. May you have a blessed Lenten Season!

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Bishop Gregory Parkes
Diocese of Saint Petersburg

(Spanish translation coming soon.)

Social Media Caption:

@BishopParkes invites you to the Holy Door of the Confessional this Lent. “We are all sinners, and yet, we all have hope.”  #CallToConversion #CourageouslyLiving #Lent #AshWednesday

Vatican Resources

For resources relating to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, visit the Vatican’s website for “24 Hours for the Lord.”