Pope Francis' 10 inspirational messages for Lent

MANILA, Philippines - Ash Wednesday signals the start of the Lent season, the 40 days that precedes the Easter celebration. It is when Catholics restore their commitment to spiritual observance through fasting, prayer and almsgiving.

It is believed that these practices, which aim to strip away all the unnecessary and take us away from those that derail our relationship with God, are forms of cleansing that improve our spiritual health.

So rather than seeing Lent in negative terms, we should see it as a beautiful spiritual experience that will strengthen us.

Not sure where to start? Here are some inspirational quotes from Pope Francis' lenten messages to get you started.  These quotes will help you answer your old age question – What should I do for lent? 

God can give us the strength to change our lives.

"Lent comes providentially to reawaken us, to shake us from our lethargy."

There is a need for conversion.

"There is something not right with us, with our society, with the church and we need to change, to turn, to convert!"

There is more to simply giving up our bad habits this lent.

"Conversion can't be reduced to exterior forms or vague resolutions, but involves and transforms one's entire existence, starting with the center of the person, the conscience."

To experience the real value of lent, we have to learn how to pray amidst the difficult circumstances.

"In the face of so many wounds that hurt us and could lead to a hardness of heart, we are called to dive into the sea of prayer, which is the sea of the boundless love of God, in order to experience his tenderness."

Recognize that God has given you so much even though we are not deserving and give it to those who are in need instead.

"Almsgiving also helps free people from the obsession of possession, from the fear of losing what they have and from the sadness of not sharing their well-being with others."

There is no act of mercy that is too little not to be recognized.

 “A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just.”

Set aside power, glory and wealth. Create equality and remove differences by sharing.

"God's becoming man is a great mystery! But the reason for all this is his love, a love which is grace, generosity, a desire to draw near, a love which does not hesitate to offer itself in sacrifice for the beloved."

Give up something that will be beneficiary to others.

"Lent is a fitting time for self-denial; we would do well to ask ourselves what we can give up in order to help and enrich others by our own poverty."

There is more to poverty that being stripped of your power and wealth.

"there is only one real kind of poverty: not living as children of God and brothers and sisters of Christ."

Sought out the poor and sinners. Open out doors to evangelization.

"The Gospel is the real antidote to spiritual destitution: wherever we go, we are called as Christians to proclaim the liberating news that forgiveness for sins committed is possible, that God is greater than our sinfulness, that he freely loves us at all times and that we were made for communion and eternal life."