Catholics mark Ash Wednesday

A woman leaves the altar after John Cardinal Njue (right) applied ash on her face at the Holy Family Basilica in Nairobi yesterday during the celebration of Ash Wednesday. [PHOTO: ELVIS OGINA/STANDARD]

NAIROBI: Catholics worldwide have been reminded to repent and believe in the gospel as they marked the beginning of Lent yesterday.

Lent is a season of repentance, prayer, fasting and engaging in charity activities.

The Lent season was marked with the celebration of Ash Wednesday and will see faithful observe it for 40 days ahead of Easter celebrations.

Easter Sunday is commemorated as the day Jesus Christ resurrected after being crucified on Good Friday. Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of placing ash on the foreheads of Christians as a sign of repentance.

Presiding over Ash Wednesday mass at the Holy Family Minor Basilica in Nairobi, John Cardinal Njue encouraged faithful to be committed in prayer, fasting and helping the needy during the lent season.

"Lent marks a start of an important journey as Catholic faithful prepare themselves for Easter Sunday. Christians are called to reflect on their faith and correct where they have gone wrong. They are expected to do things guided by the spirit of humility," said Cardinal Njue.

During the mass, priests administered ashes by making a sign of the cross on the forehead of the faithful.

The ashes, which symbolise penance and contrition, are a reminder that God is gracious and merciful to those who call on Him with repentant hearts. The ashes are made from the blessed palms used in the Palm Sunday celebration of last year.

Ash Wednesday comes from a Jewish tradition of penance and fasting. Dusting oneself with ashes was the penitent's way of expressing sorrow for sins and faults.

As the priest applies the ashes to a person's forehead, he says: "Repent and believe in the Gospel."

During the Ash Wednesday, Christians were urged to shun hatred, corruption of all forms, complaining and stereotyping.

Njue said: "Christians are expected to make sacrifices in the journey of repentance. They are expected to help the needy. This is more than giving away money but also giving of our time through serving the needs of those around us."

"This is a practice which encourages us to let go of things (money, possessions, and our valuable time) which may have taken on too high a priority in our lives. They (Christians) should make a difference in the lives of the needy in the society," the cardinal added.