Leave behind your selfishness and share your goods, appeals pontiff, by living three pillars of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

“In a multicultural global society we are bound to have differences of appearance and dress and rather than creating a homogeneous look, it would be more beneficial if we created laws to co-exist.”

The breath of God’s life “saves us from this asphyxia that dampens our faith, cools our charity, and strangles every hope”.

“It is like Jesus who went out to where people were and he gave them an invitation. We are doing the same; we ask people would they like to live a holy Lent,” said Fr Paddy Mooney, PP.

Fr Tony O’Riordan invited to Rome to receive the special mandate in person from Pope Francis during an Ash Wednesday ceremony in St Peter's Basilica.

South Tipperary Deputy Mattie McGrath sees "no reason why there could not be a specific space for prayer in the Oireachtas on a full-time basis”.

The theme of Trócaire’s 2015 Lenten campaign is ‘Fighting drought and hunger caused by climate change’.

A non-confrontational outreach to young people out on a Friday or Saturday night in pubs, clubs or cinemas.

“Incredible generosity in difficult economic times from a diocese of just 122,000 people.”