Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40 day fasting period observed by Catholic Christians.
Ash Wednesday comes 46 days before Easter Sunday on April 17, as a part of the practice,people apply ash on their foreheads in the sign of a cross.
This act symbolizes Catholic faithful’s mortality as well as their need for ongoing repentance.It is a reminder that this life is short and merely a foreshadowing of what Christians shall become through the redemption of Jesus Christ on the cross.
The ashes for Ash Wednesday normally are made from blessed palm branches from the previous palm Sunday.The ashes are sprinkled with Holy Water and incented before distribution.
When a priest applies ash to a person’s forehead,he says,’’remember that you’re dust and to dust you shall return.When the congregation goes forward to receive ashes,they say we are sorry for our sins,and that we want to use the season of Lent to correct our faults,purify our hearts,control our desires and grow in holiness so we will be prepared to celebrate Easter with great joy.
The Christians are allowed to take one meal a day and that is in the evening.Meat,fish,chicken and eggs are forbidden during this time.It continues till on Good Friday and that is when Christians will be back on their normal routines.
Father Jeremiah Manuni,conducting the mass at Christ The King Cathedral Diocese of Bungoma praised and thanked the Christians for showing up in large numbers at the Ash Wednesday ceremony.
Fr. Manuni,also said advised people on choosing the right leaders who will be able to lead the country well.’’You should all vote for that person whom you believe in that he/she has the ruling qualities and is a non corrupt person,’’he said.
‘’You should all promote peace and harmony among yourselves and also remember to pray for one another,’’he added.
By Dorine Oundo
