Tagle asks faithful: Do charity during Lent

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle is calling on the faithful to give to charity, especially during the Lenten season, which starts on Wednesday.

Tagle made the appeal as he led the relaunching of “Fast2Feed” project of Pondo ng Pinoy’s Hapag-Asa, a feeding program that aims to fight hunger and malnutrition among children throughout the country.

“In this season of Lent, we are called upon to exercise charity in dealings with our neighbors – to have a genuine concern for those who are needy and who suffer, and to perform good works,” Tagle said in a pastoral letter to be read during masses on Ash Wednesday.

As the start of the 40-day Lent coincides with the celebration of Valentine’s Day, Tagle said charity “symbolizes love and it is the very heart of Christian life.”

“We are called to love God, and our love for God is best expressed by the love we have for our brothers and sisters,” he said.

Tagle’s pastoral letter would be read during masses at parishes in the archdiocese of Manila on Wednesday.

Under Fast2Feed, malnourished children aged six months to 12 years are given nutritious food once a day, five times a week for six months.

The program also encourages the faithful to fast during Lent and donate the money they save to the feeding program.