Throughout Lent, giving alms has always been a significant practice, and Pope Francis is calling on the faithful to understand the significance of doing what they can to help others as the pre-Easter season continues.

“Almsgiving, practiced far from the spotlight, gives peace and hope to the heart,” the pope said in March 9 tweet. “It reveals to us the beauty of giving, which then becomes receiving, and thus enables us to discover a precious secret: Our hearts find more joy in giving than in receiving (Acts 20:35).” 

Some people think of almsgiving as being restricted to donating funds to Catholic charities or other charitable organizations. But Simply Catholic explains that the idea of almsgiving extends beyond that, to include such things as offering assistance to those in need by donating time and other abilities. 

Through all its forms, almsgiving is seen as being an expression of love and a willingness to care for those in need. It is one of the three pillars of Lent, along with prayer and fasting.

In the Old Testament, the practice of almsgiving is largely associated with justice, and acts of charity are deeply ingrained in Jewish tradition, even prior to the time of Christ. The Hebrew word for almsgiving is "tzedakah," which means righteousness, and it implies that providing assistance to the poor helps to restore order and promote justice, according to Divine Word Missionaries.

In the New Testament, almsgiving is portrayed as an act of love and compassion, which aligns with Christ's teachings. Caring for and giving to others is a main component of Christ's mission.

Opportunities for almsgiving abound during Lent, including such things as donations to Church ministries, which are often collected through special collections. Some of those ministries include the Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe, National Black and Indian Mission Collection, Collection for the Holy Land and more.

Additionally, many dioceses organize special appeals to address local needs during Lent. For inspiration and guidance, those interested can reach out to the diocesan Social Concerns office or local Catholic Charities affiliate, according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.