Christians are currently observing Lent, the season of 40 days that precedes Easter.

The Lenten season has three major pillars; prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

Christians are encouraged to fast and to pray even more earnestly.

They are also encouraged to exercise extra-ordinary charity, which can be demonstrated through practical actions such as visiting/helping the sick, the needy, vulnerable children, etc.

The Catholic law exempts children and elderly people above 60 years from fasting. It also exempts students and all those that have problems such as sickness.

Students in primary and secondary schools generally fall in that age category (below 20 years) that is exempted from fasting. All the same, they are encouraged to exercise non-monetary charity as Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere explains.

“Of course, students are not expected to have a lot of money. But there is a way they can help others. For example, if one is gifted in Mathematics, they can help those that are not much gifted in the same subjects to do better. The one who is good in the science subjects may not be equally good in the arts subjects and may also need assistance in that area from those students who are more gifted.”

Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere (wearing a purple cassock) with some of the students and patrons of Uganda Martyrs Pro-Life Apostolate who graced the Pro-Life Convention at St Balikuddembe SS Mitala-Maria on Saturday, March 9, 2024. Photo by Mathias Mazinga

Ssemogerere also encouraged students who have affluent parents to entice them to their needy friends.

The archbishop gave his Lenten tips to the students during the thanksgiving mass for the 12^th annual convention of Uganda Martyrs Pro-Life Apostolate at St. Balikuddembe Secondary School Mitala-Maria, Mpigi District on Saturday (March 9, 2024).

The convention that attracted over 54 schools ran under the theme: Participate in the Church’s Mission of Protecting Life; Say No to Drugs.