Lenten Season “a pilgrimage of hope”, Catholic Bishop in Seychelles Says, Calls for Strategic Approach

“Jesus’ journey with the pilgrims of Emmaus is meant to guide us in our own journey during Lent. He makes us pilgrims, walking alongside us, illuminating our path, and leading us towards resurrection,” he explains.

The 74-year-old Catholic Bishop notes that just as any traveller needs a guide and the right provisions, so too do Christians need spiritual resources to navigate the Lenten season.

“If we go on a journey to an unknown country or climb a mountain, we do not go unprepared. We need a guide, good shoes, water, and a hat. For Lent, we also need a guide, and that guide is Jesus Christ,” he says.

In his Lenten reflection, Bishop Harel goes on to describe Lent as a special time to immerse oneself in the Word of God.

“The time of Lent is a privileged time for us to listen to the Word of God. Like the prophet Hosea, God leads us into the desert, not to abandon us, but to speak to our hearts,” the Local Ordinary of Port Victoria says.

He invites Christians to moments of silence and reflection, being more attentive to God. 

“We live in a world filled with distractions and noise. Lent is a time when Jesus invites us to step away from this noise, to retreat into the desert of prayer, and to listen to His voice. We can do this by visiting a church more frequently, taking moments of quiet prayer, participating in the Way of the Cross, and attending Mass with greater devotion,” Bishop Harel says.

He reflects on the three pillars of Lent that include prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. “The first means of living Lent is prayer. Prayer is not just an obligation; it is an encounter with God, a moment to be renewed in His love,” he says.

The Catholic Church leader encourages the people of God to set aside time daily to pray and reflect on Scripture. “Let us take time to be with God, to listen to Him, and to allow Him to transform our hearts,” he says.

Bishop Harel cautions against superficial spirituality, saying, “Lent invites us to enter deeply into ourselves, to meet the Lord in the quiet of our hearts.”

On fasting, he clarifies that it is not merely a spiritual exercise but a holistic one. “Fasting is not just about giving up food; it is about self-discipline and purification. A human being is not just a spirit—he has a body, a heart, and an intelligence. And all these dimensions are connected,” he explains.

Bishop Harel encourages Christians to fast not only from food but also from distractions such as excessive time on social media. 

“How much time do we spend on social media instead of with our families? Perhaps this Lent, we can make a concrete resolution—spending less time on social media and more time in meaningful relationships,” the Catholic Bishop says.

He emphasized the need to take fasting seriously, approaching it with sincerity. “Fasting helps us detach from material excesses and focus on what truly matters. It is a way of strengthening our will, purifying our hearts, and preparing ourselves to receive God’s grace more fully,” Bishop Harel says.

In his Lenten Season reflection, the 74-year-old Bishop, who started his Episcopal Ministry in December 2002 in the Apostolic Vicariate of Rodrigues describes almsgiving as an essential expression of faith. 

(Story continues below)

“Almsgiving is not just about giving money; it is about solidarity. It is about making sure that others can stand on their feet, that they can live with dignity. You cannot pretend to love God, whom you do not see, while hating your brother, whom you see,” he says.

He invites Christians to practice generosity in their daily lives, whether through acts of kindness, financial support for the needy, or volunteering time to help others. 

“We must ask ourselves: How are we standing in solidarity with those who suffer? How are we helping the poor and marginalized? Jesus warns us against seeking recognition for our spiritual practices. When we fast, let us not do so with gloomy faces. When we give, let it be done in secret, without expecting praise,” Bishop Harel says in his March 19 reflection.

He adds, “Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are not ends in themselves; they are means to walk more closely with Jesus, to renew our hearts, and to prepare for Easter.”

Bishop Harel encourages the people of God to embrace Lent as an opportunity for personal and communal conversion.

“Let us walk together, opening our hearts to be renewed by Christ. Let us deepen our relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation,” the Catholic Church leader says, and implores, “May this pilgrimage of hope lead us all to the joy of Easter, where we will share in the victory of Christ’s resurrection.”