"God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy."

"Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring.

"Apart from the cross, there is no other ladder by which we may go to heaven."

"Unless there is Good Friday in your life, there can be no Easter Sunday."

"Lent is a time of going very deeply into ourselves... What is it that stands between us and God? Between us and our brothers and sisters? Between us and life, the life of the Spirit? Whatever it is, let us relentlessly tear it out, without a moment's hesitation."

"Have patience with all things, but first of all with yourself."

"Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being."

"...and said to him, 'Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it.' "

"Ash Wednesday is full of joy... The sources of all sorrow is the illusion that of ourselves we are anything but dust."

"Lenten fasts make me feel better, stronger, and more active than ever."

"Prayer strikes the winning blow; service is simply picking up the pieces."

"Even the darkest moments of the liturgy are filled with joy, and Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten fast, is a day of happiness, a Christian Feast."

"During Lent, let us find concrete ways to overcome our indifference."

"Prayer does not change the purpose of God. But prayer does change the action of God."

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

"O lord, make this Lenten season different from the other ones. Let me find you again. Amen."

"Seek a relationship when you pray, not answers. You won't always find answers, but you will always find Jesus."

"The goal of fasting is inner unity. This means hearing, but not with the ear; hearing, but not with the understanding; it is hearing with the spirit, with your whole being."

"Do you wish your prayer to fly toward God? Make for it two wings: fasting and almsgiving."

"Fasting cleanses the soul, raises the mind, subjects one's flesh to the spirit, renders the heart contrite and humble scatters the clouds of concupiscence, quenches the fire of lust, kindles the true light of chastity."

"You could say that prayer without fasting is like boxing with one hand tied behind your back, and that fasting without prayer is, well, dieting."

"Lenten practices of giving up pleasures are a good reminder that the purpose of life is not pleasure. The purpose of life is to attain a perfect life, all truth and undying ecstatic love—which is the definition of God. In pursuing that happiness, we find happiness."

"Fasting makes sense if it really chips way at our security, and as a consequence, benefits someone else, if it helps us cultivate the style of the good Samaritan who bent down to his brother in need and took care of him."

"It is not just about giving up our favorite food but it's about going further and giving up things like hatred and unforgiveness. You need to clean your heart and prepare yourself for purity."

"Fasting confirms our utter dependence upon God by finding in Him a source of sustenance beyond food."

"During these 40 days, let me put away all my pride. Let me change my heart and give up all that is not good within me. Let me love God with all that I am and all that I have."

"Remember that Lent and Ash Wednesday are not just about putting away the bad things. It is more about creating good things and helping the poor and the needy, being kind to people, and much more."

"Fasting is the soul of prayer, mercy is the lifeblood of fasting. So if you pray, fast; if you fast, show mercy, if you want your petition to be heard, hear the petition of others. If you do not close your ear to others, you open God's ear to yourself."

"As you mourn your sins and weaknesses this Ash Wednesday through fasting, mourning, and weeping, may you be truly transformed from your heart."

"Lent is like a long 'retreat' during which we can turn back into ourselves and listen to the voice of God, in order to defeat the temptations of the Evil One."

"Renounce yourself in order to follow Christ; discipline your body; do not pamper yourself; but love fasting."

"Lent stimulates us to let the Word of God penetrate our life and in this way to know the fundamental truth: Who we are, where we come from, where we must go, what path we must take in life."

"As Lent is the time for greater love listen to Jesus' thirst... 'Repent and believe' "

"Whoever wishes to be my follower must deny his very self, take up the cross each day, and follow in my steps."

"There's something about it that makes sense, Lent. You give something up, and everything's more joyful."

"Some people think that having ash on your forehead is ridiculous. But I am neither ashamed or afraid because the ashes remind me that I have to someday pass away and reunite with my creator."

"I get a little behind during Lent, but it comes out even at Christmas."

"I kinda don't do guilt. I gave it up for Lent years ago."

"Those have a short Lent who owe money to be paid at Easter."

"One should never initiate anything that he cannot saturate with prayer. "