Second Week of Lent

As war escalates and public attention shifts, we grieve the cost in human lives. No political distraction justifies violence. No power struggle redeems bloodshed.

Lent is a season of clarity. A season to look honestly at what is happening — and why.

We echo the wisdom of our foundress, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, who wrote to her son Willian on the eve of the end of the War of 1812:

“We hear Peace is declared …

my dear one your poor Mother looks only at souls, I see neither American or English, but Souls redeemed, and lost…

love your country – yet also all countries my William – see things as they are –”

We, too, look at souls.

We see children.

We see families.

We see the vulnerable.

We see those who will suffer the consequences of decisions made far from the battlefield.

We reject the manipulation of fear.

We reject the distraction of spectacle.

We reject the normalization of war as strategy.

Love your country — yes.

But love all countries.

And see things as they are.

In this Lenten season, may God give us courage to look beyond distraction, compassion to hold every life as sacred, and integrity to demand truth.

We will not turn away. We will not be distracted. We will stand with the vulnerable — and we will tell the truth.

The Sisters of Charity of New York Leadership Team