Three pupils at St Cuthbert Mayne School in Torquay were asked to create reflections for the third week in Lent on the theme of forgiveness. The pupils shared what this important Lenten theme means to them and why it matters not only in their own lives, but in the wider world.
Reflecting on what forgiveness means personally, one student explained: “Forgiveness to me means giving someone a second chance, say, if they have made a mistake or just done something that’s upsetting.”
Her words capture something deeply rooted in the Catholic understanding of forgiveness, the courage to offer grace, the willingness to repair relationships, and the belief that people can grow beyond their mistakes. During Lent, we are invited to reflect on our own need for forgiveness and our call to extend that same forgiveness to others.
The students also considered why forgiveness is so important for the world today. One shared: “I think forgiveness is important for the world is to like forgive people of their troubles because the world’s going through a lot of things like war, poverty, so just forgiving and helping people in need.”
Another added: “I feel like forgiveness is important for the world because our world even right now is going through heavy amounts of trouble and corruption and problems that with high amounts of forgiveness, that many problems can be solved through that.”
Their reflections show a powerful awareness of the challenges facing our global community. They recognise that forgiveness is not simply about personal relationships, but about healing divisions, responding to injustice with compassion, and choosing hope in the face of conflict and hardship.
Lent is a season of prayer, fasting and almsgiving — a time to turn our hearts back to God and to one another. As these young people remind us, forgiveness is central to that journey. It opens the door to reconciliation, strengthens communities, and reflects the boundless mercy of Christ.
We thank the students of St Cuthbert Mayne School for sharing such thoughtful reflections and for witnessing to the hope that forgiveness brings to our world today.