Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent

The Catholic Church in the Philippines teaches the importance of Ash Wednesday as the beginning of the Lenten season. On this day, everyone faithful is encourage to fast, abstain and do charity (these shall also be practiced on Good Friday). The cross on the forehead signifies a reminder that all of us must admit our sins and repent for we are all from ashes and will soon end as ashes.

Lent also known as "Quaresma" that means Forty in Latin, is observed before Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter vigil. Though the total number of days from Ash Wednesday till Easter is 46, when lent was observed, the 6 Sundays were exempt from lent as Sunday was considered as day of celebration of the resurrection of our Lord.

Lenten season is a period of preparation for the passion week, which begins on Palm Sunday and ends on Easter, the main and biggest feast of the liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church. Jesus began His ministry with fasting for 40 days and nights (Mathew 4 : 2) and finally ended with His sacrifice on the cross. In the old testament, we have a number of instances where people fasted, the more notable one is the fasting of Nineveh (Jonah 3 : 5) and even the king of Nineveh sat in ashes.(Jonah 3 : 6)

Traditionally, the palms of the previous year (of Palm Sunday) are burnt and the ash is made and blessed and put on the foreheads of the faithful on Ash Wednesday using the words, remember you are dust and to dust you shall return (Genesis 3 : 19) or repent (turn away from your sins) and believe in the gospel (Mark 1 : 15).

The faithful go for the way of the cross which is conducted every Friday during this period. People also give up certain habits like smoking, drinking alcohol etc.

The colour of the vestments to be worn by the priests during the Mass, is purple, except on 19th March, the feast of Saint Joseph, 25th March, the feast of annunciation and on Maundy Thursday the colour would be white, while on Palm Sunday and on Good Friday it will be red.

Though Lenten season looks like a difficult period, it is certainly the most joyful period, as we are united in prayer and are spiritually preparing to celebrate the greatest feast – Easter. So, if you are making sacrifices during this period, do it cheerfully, (God loves a cheerful giver..... 2 Corinthians 9 : 7) for the love of Jesus who died for us. It is a way of saying “Thank you Jesus.”

Just a little sacrifice will make this day a meaningful one.

(contains excerpts from unknown authors)