” “"Conversion is never accomplished once and for all, it is an inner journey that lasts a lifetime", warned the Pontiff, who highlighted that Lent "cannot be limited" to this time of the liturgical year, but must "embrace the whole span of our life, every day of our life". As Saint Augustine used to say, "all life is a holy longing for God. Let’s hope we start longing for God, ad thus longing for life, for love itself and for freedom", was the Pope’s Lenten wish. "A sincere longing for God leads us to reject evil and accomplish good", said the Pope, who, in the first part of the catechesis, made reference to today’s celebration. "Ash Wednesday he began is a special day for us Christians, marked by a spirit of deep concentration and meditation". In the first Christian communities, Lent was "the time of the immediate preparation to Baptism, to be celebrated in the Easter vigil". "We have already been baptised commented the Pope , but often Baptism is not too efficient in our daily life". Lent can therefore be an opportunity "to deeply relive our Baptism".” ” ” “
