Bishop calls for prayer, fasting and alms giving during lent

Bishop of the Diocese of Roseau Gabriel Malzaire
Bishop of the Diocese of Roseau Gabriel Malzaire

As the nation begins to prepare for the upcoming Easter season His Lordship Bishop Gabriel Malzaire has called on Christians to do so through prayer, fasting and alms giving.

Today, Ash Wednesday, marks the first day of the Lenten Season and a number of Catholics around the world have received ashes. Bishop Malzaire in his Lenten address, reminded individuals that the ashes are received as a sign of “our desire to humble ourselves through repentance.”

“As Christians we use this holy time of year to examine our lives in a deeper way. We are called to reflect on the sacrifice of Christ for our salvation, to repent of our sins and to renew our faith. We are called to take advantage of the sacrament of reconciliation, spend more time in prayer and especially to meditate on the passion of Jesus Christ by following the Stations of the Cross.”

According to the Bishop, Christians should avail themselves for parish Lenten retreats and abstain from some delicacy that they enjoy.

“Our Holy Father, Francis, in his Lenten message focuses on our call to enter into Christ’s poverty. In our turn we are called during this Lenten season to do something to alleviate the poverty of others, physical, emotional or spiritual. The Holy Father affirms that he distrusts any charity that costs nothing and does not hurt.”

He explained further that Lent teaches the meaning of sacrifice for the sake of a greater good.

“Let us all allow ourselves to be taught by the observances of this holy season and thus grow in personal and communal holiness. It is indeed the right time to prepare ourselves for the great evangelization which is ahead: to live up to our pastoral theme, which is: Go and make Disciples”

Lent, which lasts for six and a half weeks, is a reminder of the forty days that Jesus spent in the desert. The Church now spends this forty days fasting, praying and giving alms in preparation for the most important celebration of the Christian liturgical year, EASTER.

The Lenten season is a time set aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ – his suffering and his sacrifice, his life, death, burial and resurrection.

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25 Comments

  1. aa
    March 8, 2014

    you all these SELF RIGHTIOUS PROTESTANTS, STOP JUDGING Catholics. Remove the BLOCK from you all eyes then come clean the WAX from others eyes.Is not Adultry, Fornication, Stealing Lieing, Gossiping, ABORTION, GREED,and GREED is a form of IDOLATRY.May I continue? Are you all FREE af all these sins? ANSWER HONESTLY.Lizavier4Jesus you seem to be HOLIER than GOD himself, be careful
    because MERCY is shown only to those who are MERCIFUL.For those who HUMBLY themselves they will
    be EXALTED, those who EXALT themselves WILL BE HUMBLED.God BLESS YOU ALL.

  2. J.J.John-Charles
    March 7, 2014

    If a person receives Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.He will naturally turn his back on all these traditions and man made doctrines and obey the voice of his Lord,For example
    “Baptism is a sacrament, which takes away original sin and makes us children of God and members of the church.”R.C.
    Now read for yourself, the word of God.
    But as many as received Him (Jesus Christ)to them He gives the right to BECOME children of God. John 1:12 also, For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.Galatians 3:26

    The Roman Church tells us when the priest sprinkles a little baby.That water makes him a child of God. But God says when a person accepts Christ by faith he or she becomes a child of God.

    AMEN

  3. Simply the Truth
    March 6, 2014

    Lord, we faithful members of the Catholic Church pray for the enemies of the Catholic Church. For those who renounced their Catholic faith and now turned its enemies and who are your enemies because you established this Church on earth.
    We ask you to cleanse their hearts, minds and bodies of hatred. They speak of your Holy Name but they do not do what you have asked them to do. This is primarily to love one another and to have respect for the religious beliefs and faith of others.
    They talk as if they are experts. You know, Lord they lack love, compassion and mercy and are by no means experts, that they know nothing and at every word they state, they are condemning themselves to their eternal judgment, banishment, punishment and misery.
    Ignorant as they are, they really do not know you Lord. We ask you Lord to rebuke such people and enlighten them as to the truth and the True Faith and Church you established on earth which will lead them to your Most Sacred Heart. In Jesus Name I pray.

  4. Mands
    March 6, 2014

    I am very happy about most of the comments. Lent what is lent is it a time of repentence, then next year the pagan feast begins again and then repenteance again, when is the hypocrisy going to stop. God is tired with this put a stop to this because God will judge just now Jeremiah says to those pastors/priests who are leasing the flock astray, tell the people the truth, reveling is a sin and you will not enter the kingdom of God if you do so, please PRIEST, BISHOP TELL YOUR PEOPLE THE TRUTH

    • Simply the Truth
      March 6, 2014

      I have a few questions for you. Are you one of those who was once a baptized practicing Catholic who, today, turned its enemies? Did you not in the past enjoyed carnival?
      Whom do you think you are? You are one of the hypocrites. Cease attacking and persecuting the Catholic Church. As God looks on, you will pay for this later. He knows you are no holy of holies. You repent of your sins that you may obtain eternal life. You will do well to pay heed to and practice the Bishop’s Lenten Message. :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen:

  5. Jon Carson
    March 6, 2014

    Are we not confusing the younger generation when we in one breath send a congratulatory message about carnival days before the season and right after the season, in that same breath, we are asking for prayers and fasting? Then we are wondering why the world is so screwed up with ungodliness.

    How interesting, religion at its best!

    • Anonymous
      March 6, 2014

      I could not have said it better

    • Simply the Truth
      March 6, 2014

      It all fits in correctly. Do not question it or criticize it. Today, there are too many as you who do that and who, in the past accepted it all happily. What is wrong with you and your mind these days?
      Carnival in itself is not evil. It is a happy and enjoyable time. It is how people conduct themselves. Therefore, do not blame the Catholic Church and the Bishop. Utilize your common sense if you have any.

  6. missy
    March 6, 2014

    My sin for lent is to grow spiritually and get closer to god I know I went back a couple steps in my relationship with Christ over last year… Am gonna try to repent and get closer to him in lent

    • missy
      March 6, 2014

      Correction my aim … Not my sin

    • Simply the Truth
      March 6, 2014

      God knows your mind and your effort. He will help you to achieve that. You give him an inch, He will take a foot and more and transform you. Do not give up. Persevere always.
      Keep in mind our God is a loving God of a lot of forgiveness. Be good to yourself. He does not want you to overdo it. Just be yourself as you take those steps, be they small ones. Slow and steady wins the race.
      Pray also for the Catholic hierarchy as Holy Father, Pope Francis I, also the cardinals, bishops, priests, laity – the Catholic Church in general.
      Do not forget to pray for your government, other politicians and other fellow D/cans and ask the Lord to help each one of them. These are godly acts of love, mercy and repentance. Have a blessed Lent! God bless you!

  7. HMMM
    March 6, 2014

    Those same Church leaders that coming and pray for good carnival and the next day coming and talk about lent and ash Wednesday….

    I don’t understand how church and reveling have become so linked together. How can a PRIEST come and pray for good carnival, whereas he should not be condoning cuz the church does or should not support reveling.

    Those head in the Vatican doesn’t check on them Caribbean churches.. Them priest in all source that church should not be taking part in.

    Opening of Carnival they on podium… What you doing there? when you know is not a church vibes. I heard they interviewing a priest durning the carnival and I can hear the music in the background and that kinda music is not in the church yard. What are you doing in Mas, where pple jumping up.

    Them man there not fit…. Them real priest would be doing church thing and attending to church matters.

    • Simply the Truth
      March 6, 2014

      We are in the world and we have to accept whatever is occurring in the world if we cannot change it. We cannot fight it and harass people. Allow them the privilege to enjoy themselves. There is a time for everything. We do better to pray, be it silently and for our enemies as you.
      God did not give you authority to criticize anyone, church and/or other. He knows you are by far not a perfect person. Every time you open your mouth to speak and to comment as imbedded in your mind, God knows and your intention.
      You are one of the bad ones who consistently harass The Church. Do we criticize you? No! We hate no one. We pray for you that you might repent and turn to God. Note who is the better one. For your happiness and peace of mind, you would do well to emulate us.

  8. Rastafari
    March 6, 2014

    “Our Holy Father, Francis…”? LOL! I thought that was God’s title! Look komess with these sheeple.

    • Simply the Truth
      March 6, 2014

      Envy will get you nowhere. The Holy Father Pope Francis I, is by far higher than Haille Selassie. Where is this man’s soul?
      The ignorant know nothing and refuse to learn anything. They distort what is good due to their warped mentality. Wait until you die. You will find out the truth which may be too late for you to comprehend and accept. He who laughs last will get the better and last laugh. I feel sorry for you. You are dust and to dust you shall return. :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen:

  9. For Dominica
    March 6, 2014

    Good morning

    My fallow Dominicans and the people of Dominica let’s all pray so we will have the courrage to do right for the the further of your children, and by extension the further of Dominica. Lets all pray that we come to know the true value of the land and to know, to ourselves that someday we will have to protect it. I think that time is now. The time have come my people we should use prayer as the fuel to power or bodies that will take Dominica to a progressive direction a place we all can, and will be proud of. A place to build families and to enjoy life in its purest form of. (we can do that people) is it because we frican Dominicans did not have to fight for the land? ask the Kalinago people read the their history speak to them. Thy were the one made it possible for you to be there. Don’t you live a better standard of living then them? yes you do. Dont you have more money than thy have? Don’t your children have better opportunity and good to better school then there children? yes thy do. stop, stop, and think my people can’t you not see this is all we have is the land? a land we can build on have a good life leave for our children a land thy can and will build there life and there children for tomorrow. the further is in our hands Dominicans let’s call change direction thanks you.

  10. CaraW
    March 6, 2014

    Christians are called to live holy lives everyday, to deny self and put on Christ. There are seasons of Christianity. God has blessed and sanctified one holy day at the end of each week.

  11. JoJo
    March 6, 2014

    Set and example dear Bishop and get rid of that finery and let yourself be addressed as simply Mr. Malzaire,at least for lent. That would send a strong message.

    • Simply the Truth
      March 6, 2014

      He is dressed according to his office.
      Starting with you, what type of house do you reside in? How do you dress? Be careful that your words will return to haunt you until eternity. :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen:

  12. March 6, 2014

    “As Christians we use “this holy time of year to examine our lives in a deeper way. We are called to reflect on the sacrifice of Christ for our salvation, to repent of our sins and to renew our faith. We are called to take advantage of the sacrament of reconciliation, spend more time in prayer and especially to meditate on the passion of Jesus Christ by following the Stations of the Cross.”–News article

    And come next year, just two days before today, Mister Bishop will again tell the “revelers” of the worldly event, known as carnival: “That their body is the Temple of Holy Spirit, and they should treat it as such”–and he will ask God to bless the reveling practice of that event.

    I think the only prayer that Mister Bishop should call for, is the prayer by which he should be asking God to teach him, and his colleagues, the ways of Life in Love and Holiness–for they are far from having that wisdom, understanding, and insight; that which instill knowledge of God Almighty in Jesus Christ.

    They most certainly do not have that knowledge; much for worst for their followers–Lord have mercy and compassion for the innocent, the weak, and the ignorance–who are even my dear people.

    • Mands
      March 6, 2014

      Good writing, The BISHOP should also tell the Priests to let their followers read Galatians 5 focus on the Bible for knowledge. People perish for lack of knowledge. They are leading their flock astray and they will answer to God for this.

    • JoJo
      March 6, 2014

      What a sad, miserable person you are.

    • Simply the Truth
      March 7, 2014

      The Lord said, “Those people who brawl against My Religion, My One and Only True Church which I myself established on earth when I said to Peter: “Thou art Peter and upon this Rock I will build My Church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against It for I am with you always even until the consummation of the world”, shall be forsaken by Me.
      “Those who also brawl at and criticize My Pope, My Bishops, My Priests and the faithful laity – My Children – members of My Church and cast slurs at them, shall be forsaken by Me.”

      The Lord is faithful and True to His promise and will never rescind his promise.

    • February 18, 2015

      If only people would be real!

      Everybody in Dominica knows carnival is a times of drinking, indulgence, and fornication. This is not something God blesses. The same people who celebrate carnival are the ones who observe Lent beginning with Ash Wednesday! This is because they only have religion. They do not have salvation. They have not been born again.

      The Bible says –

      Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

      I invite you to visit our website at

      livinghopeministries.ca

      Click onto SERMONS. Listen to my sermon THE NEW BIRTH.

      Click onto the EAGLE COURSE. It can be studied from the screen or copied absolutely free. The first lesson will tell you how to receive Christ as your personal Savior – be born again – and begin a new

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.

  13. DC
    March 5, 2014

    Fasting and praying are the most powerful weapons against the enemy. Unfortunately, there is a lot of evil in the Land, therefore, I urge fellow citizens to listen to the Bishop’s call. We need to pray for unity and peace amongst all. Pray for those who engage in evil acts to destroy others so that they can turn from their wicked ways. Seek, love and serve God my friends. He is real!

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