Lent as a shared journey: growing closer to God and one another

As Lent begins, CAFOD volunteer Lois Buco reflects on what this season means to her and how it brings her closer to God and to others.

Lent, for me, has always felt like a very personal journey. It’s a season that gently nudges me to pause and look honestly at where I am with God, and how I might draw closer to him. In a world full of noise and distraction, Ash Wednesday feels like an invitation to stop and listen. With the receiving of the ashes, I am given a physical reminder to carve out time, attention and care for God - and to remember that this journey also calls me to serve others.

The three pillars of Lent

One thing that really helps me at the start of Lent is remembering the three pillars we’re encouraged to focus on: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Prayer is the one that means the most to me, because it’s my own personal time with God and it makes me feel at peace as I can be completely open and honest during this time of reflection.

Fasting, for me, is about giving something up that I know distracts me or takes up too much space in my life. Most of the time, this is a bad habit I have recognised. This small sacrifice allows me to reign in my focus and to create space and take up other things that contribute to bringing me closer to God instead.

And then there’s almsgiving, which I’ve come to see as giving back in whatever way I can, whether this is donating to charity, offering my time to others or supporting work that confronts poverty and injustice. With these acts, no matter how big or small, I feel as though I am responding to God’s message that our faith is not just about us as individuals, but is also how we treat others and feeling that we are serving God through helping others.

Forty days

I won’t pretend that I always find it easy and the beginning of Lent can sometimes feel daunting. Forty days doesn’t sound like a lot in the grand scheme of things, but I’m sure as we all know, it can feel long once you're actually in it. Especially on the days where I get distracted or fall back onto old habits. However, I’ve come to realise that Lent isn’t about perfection, but a time for us to commit the best that we can. It invites me to recognise my weaknesses without fear, because I know that God meets me with patience and mercy.

It reassures me that change is possible - not only within myself, but in the world around me. This season reminds me that God calls us to be part of a change and to notice those who are struggling, to stand alongside people facing poverty or injustice, and to believe that our actions together can help to build something better.

As we stand at the beginning of this season, I hope others will take a moment to reflect on what draws them closer to God and what gently leads them away. And as we pray, fast, and give, I hope we remember that our faith starts within us and can have a ripple effect and that our acts of generosity can ease the burdens of others. The world can feel heavy at times, but Lent encourages me and it makes me believe that together we can help build something better. I am grateful for this season, and I look forward to seeing how God will move within me and others around me.