Catholics commence Lent season with Ash Wednesday

Team Udayavani, Feb 14, 2024, 8:31 AM IST

source: Wikimedia Commons

Mangaluru/Udupi: Today marks the commencement of the Lenten season for Catholics as they observe Ash Wednesday on February 14. This significant day symbolizes the start of a six-week period of penitence leading up to Easter.

During Ash Wednesday, Catholics gather to commemorate the solemnity of Jesus Christ’s journey towards his crucifixion by applying ash to their foreheads in the shape of a cross. This act serves as a reminder of human mortality, echoing the phrase “Man from dust to dust.”

The Lenten season is a time of reflection and spiritual renewal for Catholics worldwide. Over the next 40 days, believers engage in acts of self-discipline, such as fasting and prayer, as they prepare to celebrate the resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday.

Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore, emphasized the importance of fasting, stating that it is not only a physical sacrifice but also a means of confession and spiritual growth. He stressed the significance of charity and reconciliation, urging believers to share their blessings with the less fortunate and let go of animosity.

Echoing similar sentiments, Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi, highlighted the essence of repentance and transformation during the Lenten season. He encouraged Catholics to embrace prayer, fasting, and acts of kindness, viewing them as pathways to spiritual rejuvenation and communion with God.

As Catholics embark on this journey of self-reflection and renewal, they are reminded of the enduring message of Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection. Through prayerful contemplation and acts of compassion, believers seek to emulate the virtues of humility, forgiveness, and love exemplified by Jesus Christ.

The Lenten season culminates with the observance of the Last Supper, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday, signifying the triumph of hope and redemption over sin and death. Catholics are called to embrace this period of penance with sincerity and devotion, striving to emerge as renewed individuals with a deeper commitment to their faith.