Reported by Euthalia
Wednesday is Valentine’s Day, a day widely observed by indulging in something romantic and sweet with the person you love. But many Catholics will be receiving a cross made of ash on their foreheads on this day because it is Ash Wednesday.
Valentine’s Day is about love and Ash Wednesday is about preparing ourselves to celebrate the passion and resurrection of Jesus Christ also about love.
Ash Wednesday is meant to remind us of our mortality and the need for reconciliation with God. It also marks the beginning of the penitential period of Lent.
More than 1,000 parishioners attended the mass at St Mary’s Cathedral on 14 February 2024.
“Today is the day for salvation”, said Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom in his homily. Bishop Julius also mentioned that we want the whole world to know that we are Catholic by having ashes on our foreheads. During Lent it is a time when we focus exclusively on seeing the Lord in prayer, making sacrifices and giving alms. We are hungry for nourishment for the inner life.
“For you are dust, and to dust you will return” – Genesis 3:19