Lenten season starts, today is Ash Wednesday
The Roman Catholic Church observes Ash Wednesday today which marks the start of the Lenten season.
The Cebu Archdiocese has already prepared ashes, which will be used in the marking of a cross on the forehead of believers as a reminder that “as man is dust, so unto dust he shall return”.
The ashes are made from the blessed palms used in the Palm Sunday celebration of the previous year, christened with Holy Water and scented by exposure to incense.
Msgr. Cristobal Garcia said that while ashes symbolize penance and contrition, these also serve as reminder that God is gracious and merciful to those who call on Him with repentant hearts.
“His Divine mercy is of utmost importance during the season of Lent, and the Church calls on us to seek that mercy during the entire Lenten season with reflection, prayer and penance,” Garcia added.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent. It is a season of penance, reflection and fasting which prepares us for Christ's Resurrection on Easter Sunday through which we attain redemption.
Following the example of the Ninevites, who did penance in sackcloth and ashes, our foreheads are marked with ashes to humble our hearts and remind us that life on Earth is fleeting.
Ninevites, mentioned in the Book of the prophet Jonah, are people of
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